SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT: A FOCUS ON ELECTRIC VEHICLES

TOP TEN FACTS

1. An electric vehicle (EV) can reduce your transport fuel costs by 74% compared to a comparable new diesel engine car.

2. Up to €10,000 is available for new electric vehicles purchased thanks to an SEAI grant and VRT relief.

3. Electricity from publically accessible EV chargers is currently free so the cost of driving from one part of the country to another is reduced even further.

4. There are currently over 1200 public charging points installed by ESB around the island of Ireland. A fast charge station at a motorway takes approximately 20 minutes to charge a car to 80% capacity.

5. EVs have the lowest rate of motor tax available at €120 per annum.

6. An EV can drive with zero emissions, while emissions of NOX and particulates from traditional cars in cities are now of major concern.

7. Almost 23% of the electricity supplied to an EV is generated from clean renewable energy in Ireland.

8. There are currently 21 EV models available in Ireland which qualify for grant support from SEAI with more to come this year.

9. The new 300km BMW i3 is now available in Ireland making it the longest range EV available in this country.

10. Over 1600 EVs have been grant aided in Ireland since the grants became available in 2011, with sales increasing significantly in recent years. Only the first 2,000 purchasers will receive a free charge point installed in their homes valued at up to €1,000.

DID YOU KNOW?

A driver who commutes around 50km to work each day (ie from Drogheda, Navan, Newbridge or Wicklow to Dublin) will drive over 25,000 km per annum. Diesel car drivers making that type of journey (and we know there are many on these routes every day) could save in excess of €1500 each year if they switch to an EV. Isn’t that worth some consideration?