20.02.2009

Large scale infrastructure changes necessary to meet electric vehicle target – SEI

Ireland can meet its target of making 10 per cent of all road vehicles electric by 2020; however, significant large scale infrastructural changes will be required across the economy, including developing the capacity for recharging an estimated 250,000 passenger vehicles.

That’s the view of Professor J Owen Lewis, Chief Executive, Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) speaking at the opening a conference this on Electric Vehicle and Sustainable Transport in Dublin. The conference was organised jointly by SEI and the ESB who announced the introduction of a number of electric vehicles to the fleet operated by its networks business.

Professor Lewis said: “Interest in the use of electric vehicles is growing worldwide and Ireland is moving to prepare the way for this emerging form of transport by bringing together experts in the area to highlight the key issues which must be addressed. Ireland has a significant renewable energy potential in the form of wind and ocean energy.

As these provide a variable supply of energy, with large amounts sometimes available at night time when our system demand is low, electric vehicles charging at night time will allow us to manage this renewable resource more effectively.”


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