Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 238: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the use of electric cars here; when contracts for the installation and roll-out of electric car charge points will be up for tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7224/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The electrification of transport is seen globally and by the EU as an increasingly realistic prospect in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions dependence on fossil fuels. There is very significant global investment under way in research, development and commercialisation, and it is clear that the technology is now maturing to a point where large scale commercial deployment appears feasible, and that further technological developments will be forthcoming in the short to medium term.

Ireland's small geographical scale presents opportunities to be at the forefront of developments and my Department and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland together with ESB Networks are working to positioning Ireland as an early mover in electric vehicles with all stakeholders. An ambition of having a target of 10% of all vehicles powered by electricity by 2020 would equate to around 225,000 cars on Irish roads.

In addition to encouraging the take-up of electric vehicles by consumers the challenge is to develop economically viable options for the cost efficient build, operation and maintenance of an electric vehicle infrastructure network in Ireland.

ESB Networks have already developed plans for a pilot electric vehicle infrastructure network, including 1500 public accessible charging points. This pilot phase will cover the period to 2015. The pilot network will be accessible to all suppliers of electricity. My Department is consulting with the Commission for Energy Regulation and other stakeholders on the most appropriate market structure and regulatory arrangements for electric vehicle infrastructure in the medium to longer term, having regard also to developments in other EU Member States including the UK, Denmark and Portugal.