Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have a final question on electric cars. The Department is investing in trying to roll out more charge stations across the city, which is welcome. On the issue of pipeline battery technology, in ten years the battery capacity of an electric car will probably be greater than the current combustion model. Do we need to run an economic model on our investment in the battery points? Most people will probably utilise more energy efficient battery charging at home. Should we try to incentivise home charging as much as charging points for electric cars? It is important that we encourage the purchase of electric cars. However, within ten to 15 years the fuel station will be in big trouble but so will the electric charge points on which we will probably spend a significant amount of money.