• Irish Government, ESB and Mitsubishi Motors, MC (Automobile) Europe and MMC Commercials sign a Memorandum of Understanding to further promote e-car industry
• ESB announces first e-car trial programme for Ireland in conjunction with Trinity College Dublin
• Mitsubishi Motors identify Ireland as ideal test environment and announce the supply of electric cars for the trial
The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan, ESB and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, MC (Automobile) Europe and MMC Commercials today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the parties to further promote the e-car industry in Ireland. Additionally, Ireland’s first e-car trial-project conducted by Trinity College Dublin’s School of Engineering on behalf of ESB was also announced today.
As part of the trial, the all-electric, zero emission Mitsubishi i-MiEVs will be used throughout Ireland to support the planning and implementation of the ESB nationwide charging infrastructure. The customer behaviour and attitudes research to be undertaken by Trinity College Dublin will be crucially important in understanding how customers want to use their EVs. The parties intend to make the vehicles available to a wide range of users – both residential and pilot corporate customers – and to promote EVs in light of the recently announced enhanced Government incentives. The Government has set a target of 10% for all vehicles on Irish roads to be electric by 2020.
“Today’s Memorandum with Mitsubishi and ESB’s trial with Trinity College is another important milestone in the electrification of the Irish motoring fleet. Ireland is leading the way and with such innovation from ESB, TCD and our new partnership with Mitsubishi, our international position is further strengthened. Irish drivers and the Irish economy will only benefit.’
A “Smart Home Charging” system will be trialled which will allow the cars maximise the amount of energy they get from renewable sources, while also facilitating the operation of the electricity system. This is a key requirement for a successful transition to carbon neutral sustainable travel and ESB have committed to installing 1,500 publicly accessible charging stations, 2,000 domestic charging points and 30 fast charging units on a nationwide basis throughout Ireland by the end of 2011.
Mitsubishi Motors are at the forefront of EV development and plan to bring to market a range of full electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in the coming years.
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