Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 106: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress made on the roll out of an infrastructure for charging electric vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3376/10]

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 111: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has worked on securing a memorandum of understanding with any new manufacturers with a view to supplying electric vehicles here following his statement that he would look to other manufactures to guarantee choice and supply of electric vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3370/10]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding his commitment on electric cars and the use of electric cars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3436/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 106, 111 and 130 together.

The Government has ambitious plans for the large scale deployment of electric vehicles in Ireland. We have set a target of 10% of all vehicles to be powered by electricity by 2020 and all relevant Departments and Agencies are working together to ensure that the necessary policies and infrastructure are in place to meet this target.

Electric vehicles are an increasingly realistic solution to the challenge of reducing the transport sector's Greenhouse Gas Emissions and reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels. There is now very significant global investment under way in research and development in this area. The technology is maturing to a point where large scale commercial deployment appears feasible in the short to medium term. There is keen interest internationally in Ireland's commitment to be an early mover in this field. Ireland is seen as an excellent test-bed particularly in relation to network infrastructure development.

In the European Union context, I have welcomed the commitment of the Spanish Presidency to place electric vehicles firmly on the EU energy policy agenda. The Presidency, together with Ireland, Denmark and Portugal, underlined the real opportunities for Europe to transform energy use in transport at the informal meeting of Energy Ministers in Seville on 15 January. We agreed that the development of electric vehicles technology and standards should be progressed by the European Union as part of delivery of energy efficient and low carbon systems. In the discussion, I highlighted the need for economic incentives to support market entry as well as common standards. The Commission also confirmed that electric vehicles will be included as a priority under the Strategic Energy Technology Plan.

The challenge now for Ireland is to develop a cost efficient electric vehicle infrastructure network, together with measures to develop a market for the vehicles themselves.

ESB Networks is playing a central role in the development of the infrastructure network. Initial estimates by ESB Networks for the roll out of infrastructure are between 6 and 18 months depending on the scale of initial deployment. The company has already begun installing the first 20 charging points. ESB is also playing a leading role in work by European utilities and car manufacturers to progress essential standardisation across Europe. I was pleased to get confirmation from the Commission at the informal Energy Ministers meeting that it also has begun work on standardisation.

The Inter Departmental/Inter Agency Taskforce has reported on the costed options and timeframes for putting in place the necessary infrastructure and other arrangements for the cost effective deployment of electric vehicles on a national basis. Global and EU developments will be factored in as the technologies mature.

I am currently reviewing the report of the Taskforce with a view to bringing it to Government in the near future for agreement to setting a clear roadmap ahead.

My Department and the ESB have agreed a Memorandum of Understanding with Renault-Nissan, which provides for ongoing information exchange on developments. Discussions are under way with a number of other car manufacturers, with a view to developing Memoranda of Understanding, with them also.

The Minister for Finance confirmed in Budget 2010 the Government's commitment to encourage the increased use of environmentally friendly electric cars and related technology development. To that end the VRT exemption for electric vehicles and the VRT reliefs of up to €2,500 for plug-in hybrid vehicles are being extended until end 2012. The Minister for Finance also gave a commitment to bring forward support to offset the initial battery costs for electric vehicles, the details of which are currently being progressed. This scheme is intended to incentivise up to 11,000 electric vehicles to come onto the Irish market over the next three years.