Irish Government, ESB and Renault-Nissan Alliance Partner on EVs in Ireland; Incentives, Charge Points and Cars

The Irish Government; the ESB, Ireland’s largest
electricity utility; and the Renault-Nissan Alliance announced a
comprehensive partnership to position Ireland as a European leader in electric
transport. (Earlier post.)

The Definitive Agreement includes the development of a nationwide electric
car charging infrastructure by ESB, the supply of electric cars by the Renault-
Nissan Alliance from 2011, as well as Government policies and incentives that will
support the widespread adoption of such vehicles. Those who purchase electric cars can avail of the €5,000 (US$6,800) grant, which the Irish Government announced today. Irish buyers of electric vehicles will be exempt from Vehicle Registration Tax.

The Irish Government’s target is for 10% of Ireland’s vehicles to be
electric by 2020. Today’s Agreement with Nissan-Renault will see 2,000
cars on Irish roads by 2011. This keeps us firmly on track to achieve, if
not exceed, our goals.

—Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan

Under the agreement, ESB will roll out 3,500 charge points nationwide by
December 2011. The rollout has already begun in Dublin and charging points will
also be installed in Cork, Galway, Waterford and Limerick. ESB also plans to
install 30 fast charge points across Ireland by the end of 2011, with nine
expected to be set up by the end of this year.

Nissan will supply its all-electric, five-seater LEAF hatchback to Ireland in early
2011 while Renault will launch its light commercial electric vehicle, Kangoo Z.E.,
later in the year. By the end of 2011, Renault will also supply 100 pre-production
Fluence Z.E.s for a pilot project in Ireland. Fluence Z.E., an electric sedan for both
private and professional use, will go on sale in Ireland in 2012.

All three vehicles will be fitted with the latest generation of lithium-ion batteries
produced by Automotive Energy Supply Corporation (AESC), a joint venture
between Nissan, NEC and NEC Tonkin.

ESB is designing an infrastructure that will ensure open access to all car
manufacturers and all energy suppliers. Trials and pilots will be conducted by ESB
to test the infrastructure and collect the data necessary to examine driving
trends, usage patterns as well as the new electric car lifestyle experience.

The Definitive Agreement follows a Memorandum Understanding signed by
the three parties last April to study the promotion of electric vehicles in Ireland.