Peugeot and Citroen to bring two new electric cars to Ireland

Carmaker PSA Peugeot Citroen has today signed a deal with the Government and the ESB to introduce two new electric car models to Ireland.

The car models are the Peugeot iOn and Citroën C-Zero.

“2011 will be the year electric cars become a common sight on Irish roads,” Communications Minister Eamon Ryan said.

The Government’s target is to achieve 6,000 electric passenger vehicles in operation by 2012.

ESB has committed to installing 1,500 publicly accessible charging stations, 2,000 domestic charging points and 30 fast charging units nationwide by the end of 2011.

“Ireland is one of the first countries in the world to build a nationwide electric vehicle charging infrastructure and to put in place other necessary conditions to facilitate the widespread adoption of ecars,” said ESB Chief Executive, Padraig McManus

“This agreement with PSA Peugeot Citroen further supports the expansion of ecar use among the public and demonstrates that car manufacturers view Ireland as an ideal location to develop carbon-neutral driving”.

Peugeot and Citroen will each provide 50 electric cars on the Irish market in 2011, with that figure rising to meet demand. Training on the Peugeot and Citroen Electric vehicles and their maintenance began in Ireland in March 2010 and the first cars will arrive in January 2011. Prices and equipment details for the Peugeot iOn and Citroen C-Zero will be announced in January.

Grants of up to €5000 for electric and hybrid cars will be available from January 1.