The future of transport is not the electric car — it’s the electric bike

Electric vehicles are not going to be able to reach Ireland's 2030 climate target of 945,000 EVs, what is the alternative? A real game-changer could be the roll of e-bikes and e-scooters, writes Catherine Conlon

With proper infrastructure, bikes move faster, and can be parked and locked outside the door of your destination as well as giving welcome headspace and exercise at the end of a day stuck in front of a computer screen. File picture: Larry Cummins

Paris citizens have voted in favour of a proposal by the city’s mayor to triple parking charges on hefty SUVs. Cars weighing 1.6 tonnes or more will be charged at €18 per hour in the city centre or €12 per hour further out.

The charges will affect electric cars that weigh over two tonnes. Exclusions from the charge include people living and working in Paris, taxi drivers, tradespeople, health workers and people with disabilities.