A NEW initiative which will see charging facilities for electric cars on the streets of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown in south Dublin was introduced to the public yesterday.
Prototype chargers and electric cars were on display in Dún Laoghaire where Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan voiced his approval of the initiative.
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council will be the first local authority in the country to introduce charging points for the environmentally-friendly vehicles.
It is expected that a pilot programme will see charging points at four venues in the local authority area; Dundrum, Dún Laoghaire, Stillorgan and Blackrock. The finer details of the project have not yet been worked out, but it is understood three supply companies are in talks with the council and will be tendering for the work.
From tomorrow all new vehicles registered in the State will have their VRT and motor tax calculated on an emissions basis. Cars that produce higher emissions will pay more, while electric vehicles and lower emitting vehicles will pay less and may even be exempt.
The Minister urged other councils to follow Dún Laoghaire’s example.The electric cars on display yesterday, supplied by Green-Aer Mobility and Green Machines, produce no carbon emissions, are fully recyclable and exempt from VRT. They cost between €12,000 and €16,000 to buy and use approximately €200 worth of electricity per year.
