Governments of Ireland and Portugal to support electric vehicle introduction
Sun 12 October 2008
View all news
The Irish Government is expected to announce a new Electric Transport Programme inspired by Israel's 'Project Better Place', according to reports in an Irish newspaper. Meanwhile, buyers of electric cars in Portugal are to receive tax breaks under the draft budget announced for 2009.
Ireland's initiative will be supported by the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) of Ireland. An ESB spokesman said: "ESB will be looking at the various options, including the Better Place model."
Project Better Place is a privately funded plan to provide half a million on-street 'smart-charge' points and battery-swap stations for electric cars in Israel. Earlier this year, senior ESB and Sustainable Energy Ireland officials met with representatives from Better Place to study the project.
Portugese buyers of electric cars will get tax breaks of up to €796 under the draft budget announced for 2009. The measure is part of broader Portugese initiatives to increase the use of electric cars.
The growing impetus behind electric vehicles internationally is partly a result of the availability of vehicles with increased driving range and the anticipated arrival of plug-in hybrid models with electric motors and petrol engines.
Related Links
< Back to news list