Mr. Paul Jackman:

Currently, the running costs of diesel and electric cars are actually quite close if you are getting the electricity out on the road. The advantage with the EV only applies if you are getting the power at home on the night rate. That is where you are scoring. As Mr. Drennan said, where we see transport businesses going is that their vans and local delivery trucks will become electric. They will have the infrastructure on site for temporary battery storage as well as solar or wind power and they will generate their own electricity. That is where they will get a return.

On the issue of doing the longer runs across Ireland as an island, the battery potential to do that will be available in 15 or 20 years' time. Given the limits on infrastructure and the pace of availability, it will be a very slow burn. We had a conference in Killarney last September and the main sponsor told us not to buy its electric trucks yet. I have also heard that from another manufacturer. They are not there yet and they will admit that openly to those who have a good relationship with them. They are not there yet.