Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are going to have to allow for that transition. One will not be able to pull a trailer-load of cattle or silage but there is a place for EVs. Their range is improving massively.

We all agree we need offshore renewable energy. I have even heard comments from Deputy Healy-Rae in relation to that. When we have offshore renewable energy and we are charging EVs, that is clean transport. Furthermore, there is a case to be made that EVs are more suitable in rural areas. If the Deputy jumps into an EV now and drives at 120 km/h up the motorway, he will eat into the battery but when he is going around rural roads, like the road from Kenmare to Killarney, he will use way less battery power because he is travelling at between 80 km/h and 100 km/h. He will get far more range out of a charge.

There is a future for EVs and there is a reason they are outselling diesel vehicles. We talk down EVs in here quite often but they are the future and I very much welcome the Minister's move.

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