Discount offered on purchase of electric cars

Eco-friendly motorists are in line for a €5,000 discount if they opt for an electric car, it was revealed today.

Drivers switching to the greener option will also avoid the costly vehicle registration tax as the Government continues its drive to get plug-in and battery powered machines on the road.

Minister Eamon Ryan said the aim was to have 2,000 electric car users by the end of 2011.

“The Programme for Government announced our intention to transform the Irish energy and transport sectors,” he said.

“We have made great strides in renewable energy, energy efficiency and now we begin the electrification of our transport fleet.”

The ESB has committed to providing 3,500 charge (or 'juice') points and 30 fast-charge points around the country by the end of next year.

An extensive network of power sources will ease fears for drivers concerned over the distance the motors can travel.

The promotion, supported by the Renault-Nissan Alliance, will see the car-makers offer discounts on the Nissan Leaf hatchback – billed as the world’s first affordable, zero-emission car, with a top speed of more than 140km/h (90mph) and a range of more than 160km – and also the Renault Kangoo ZE, with a top speed of 130km/h and range of about 100km.

A half-hour charge could provide 80% of full battery power while longer four-eight hour charges provide full power.

Despite the attraction of the grant, electric cars are at present consistently more expensive than their gas-guzzling rivals.

But the Government said with the discount and cheaper power, running costs in the first year will be a fifth of petrol models, based on current oil prices.

A €2,500 grant is being offered to people buying a hybrid model.

The rollout of plug-in points has already begun in Dublin and others will be installed in Cork, Galway, Waterford and Limerick and on the motorways and nine fast charge points will be linked to the network by this December.

Officials are aiming to have 10% of the country‘s cars electric by 2020.

Mr Ryan, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, said it was an historically important day for Irish motoring.

“It’s making it easier for the Irish motorists to do the right thing. Cut out the oil, cut out the emissions and actually have one-fifth of the running costs,” he said.

“The grant is there to level out the cost and then what we are doing is saving on the running costs, as I said, to top up with electricity from Irish wind as a fifth of the price of filling up with fuel oil from the Middle East.

“That’s were we can save money.”