Additionally, Trinity College Dublin’s School of Engineering on behalf of ESB, will be conducting an EV trial-project in Ireland.
As part of the trial, the all-electric, zero emission Mitsubishi i-MiEVs will be used throughout Ireland to support the planning and implementation of the ESB nationwide charging infrastructure. Trinity College Dublin will conduct research on the customer behavior and attitudes to understand how they want to use their EVs.
The parties intend to make the vehicles available to a wide range of users – both residential and pilot corporate customers – and to promote EVs in light of the enhanced government incentives. The government has set a target of 10% for all vehicles on Irish roads to be electric by 2020.
Trials will be conducted for a ‘Smart Home Charging’ system, which will allow the electric cars to maximize the amount of energy they get from renewable sources, while also facilitating the operation of the electricity system.
ESB has committed to installing 1500 publicly accessible charging stations, 2000 domestic charging points and 30 fast charging units on a nationwide basis throughout Ireland by the end of 2011.
Viewing Ireland as an ideal market for electric vehicles in Europe, Mitsubishi Motors has made available its electric Mitsubishi i-MiEVs in advance of the European launch in October 2010.
Eamon Ryan, communications, energy and natural resources minister of Ireland, said: ”Today’s Memorandum with Mitsubishi and ESB’s trial with Trinity College is another important milestone in the electrification of the Irish motoring fleet.
”Ireland is leading the way and with such innovation from ESB, TCD and our new partnership with Mitsubishi, our international position is further strengthened. Irish drivers and the Irish economy will only benefit.”
