John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 68: 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 manufacturers to guarantee choice of supply of electric vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10187/10]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the process of rolling out an infrastructure for charging electric vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10193/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 70 together.

Electric vehicles offer an increasingly realistic solution in terms of reducing the Greenhouse Gas Emissions in transport while at the same time tackling Ireland's dependence on imported fossil fuels. There is very significant global investment under way in research and development in this area. The technology is now maturing to a point where large scale commercial deployment appears feasible in the short to medium term. The range of new car models by virtually all motor manufacturers recently revealed at the recent Frankfurt Motor Show underlines the rapidity and scale of the technology shift.

Ireland needs to be at the forefront of developments and we are working to ensure this with all stakeholders. We have set a target of 10% of all vehicles to be powered by electricity by 2020, which will equate to around 225,000 cars on Irish roads.

The challenge is to develop economically viable options for the cost efficient build, operation and maintenance of an electric vehicle infrastructure network in Ireland. Incentivisation is also needed to develop a market for electric vehicles.

ESB networks are proactively developing plans for an electric vehicle infrastructure network and are taking a lead role in Europe to ensure that EU utilities work together to progress standardisation. I am working with my colleague the Minister for Finance to put in place the incentives to support electric vehicles as announced on Budget Day.

The Memorandum of Understanding concluded by the ESB and my Department with Renault-Nissan is designed to support knowledge transfer on the infrastructure requirements of electric vehicles. It will also ensure that Ireland is one of the first countries to be supplied with both Renault and Nissan electric cars. This represents a major opportunity for Ireland. Under the Memorandum of Understanding ESB Networks is able to avail of data on developments in electric vehicles which is informing consideration of optimum infrastructure, support mechanisms and the potential benefits accruing. The Memorandum of Understanding does not convey any exclusive rights in relation to the provision of electric cars. Ireland is open for business to all manufacturers of electric vehicles and I want to build relationships with all global players in the sector.

My Department and the ESB are currently in discussions with other motor manufacturers with a view to developing additional Memoranda of Understanding and there are a number of promising prospects for later this year, which will contribute to ensuring choice of supply.