Ireland Hopes to Become Electric Car Hub

Filed in archive Automobiles , Information About on February 10, 2009

Justin Moresco had an interesting piece yesterday morning about Ireland's efforts to attract foreign investment by becoming a model for the switch to electric cars and electric car parts. The government of Prime Minister Brian Cowen originally proposed the plan back in November.

As part of the Electric Vehicle plan, 10 percent of all vehicles in Ireland-or about 250,000 cars and trucks-are to be powered by electricity by 2020. It is unclear if vehicles will have to be powered exclusively by batteries to qualify under the plan. Plug-in hybrid vehicles, for example, now under development by major automakers typically have on-board gasoline engines that provide power during extended rides.

Businesses would get a major tax incentive for purchasing an electric vehicle; they'd be able to write off 100% of the purchase cost.


Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Image# 6845405