Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 411: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the details of the deal agreed with a company (details supplied) to supply approximately 250 zero emission cars to the Government; the cost of the deal; the purpose the new vehicles will serve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41952/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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There is no commercial arrangement between either my Department or Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI), with the company in question to provide zero emission vehicles to the Government. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between Renault-Nissan and any Department which provides for information exchange on infrastructure technologies and technical specifications for vehicles.

The Government has set a target of 10% of all vehicles to be powered by electricity by 2020. An Inter-Departmental/Inter-Agency Taskforce on electric vehicles is chaired by my Department and comprises the Departments of Transport, Finance, Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Enterprise, Trade and Employment, SEI, ESB, the IDA and Enterprise Ireland. The Commission for Energy Regulation is also joining the Taskforce in light of its statutory responsibilities for the regulated networks.

The Taskforce will advise on the options and timeframes for putting in place the necessary infrastructure and other arrangements for the national roll-out of electric vehicles in a cost effective manner. Initial estimates for the roll out of infrastructure are between 6 and 18 months depending on the scale of initial deployment. Global developments will be factored in as the technologies mature. The Taskforce will very shortly report its initial findings and advise on next steps. The report will also advise on overall costs and financial implications.