State signs deal to invest in electric cars -how not to save money during a recession

[Hazlitt]

The government has signed an agreement with ESB and Renault-Nissan to increase the usage of electric vehicles.... sigh

If you're looking to save money during a recession why not go ahead and spend millions on a technology that there is little or no demand for!

The reason the government has to pay millions of taxpayers money for a project like this is because a tiny minority in the market wants these electric cars currently. This is waste to a major degree.

Here are the important paragraphs from todays article in the Times:

...Sustainable Energy Ireland chief executive Prof J Owen Lewis said renewable, wind and tidal energy could and should be harnessed to power the cars.

He told the conference in February that “significant investment in infrastructure will be required to facilitate even a modest deployment of electric vehicles in Ireland, as these vehicles require an extensive charging infrastructure which is not currently in place.”

None of the parties to the agreement were willing to comment yesterday on the cost and the scope of the new infrastructure but some described it as “major”.

SEI has previously said similar projects in Israel and Denmark cost about €200 million for a full rollout.

I'll bet anyone on this forum it will cost a lot more than €200 million.

Source: article here

[alonso]

about bloody time

[Bobert]

Hazlitt, it'll cost at least double that!

[alonso]

200 million was the cost in denmark so that bears no realtion to ireland. The ESB are planing to roll out the refuelling infrastructure but people's houses will do for 90% of all car use.

this was on the other night, perhaps a quick view is in order, maybe inform yourself as to the actual potential of electric cars and the potential for generating electricity cleanly before moaning about Irish innovation which will save money in the long term
Who Killed the Electric Car?

[Bobert]

Alonso, how much does it cost to full an electric car so that I an avail of it's maximum range? How long does itt take to charge?

[code twinkle]

The government has signed an agreement with ESB and Renault-Nissan to increase the usage of electric vehicles.... sigh

If you're looking to save money during a recession why not go ahead and spend millions on a technology that there is little or no demand for!

The reason the government has to pay millions of taxpayers money for a project like this is because a tiny minority in the market wants these electric cars currently. This is waste to a major degree.

Here are the important paragraphs from todays article in the Times:





I'll bet anyone on this forum it will cost a lot more than €200 million.

Source: article here

It is the utter aversion to innovation that people like you suffer that has held this country back since its foundation, up to and including most of the construction fuelled 'boom'.

One could say the demand for organic produce should be equally as tiny especially in a recession, yet as reported only today, the organic food market growth is outstripping conventional food. And I guarantee the vast majority of those buying organic food who currently own cars will be demanding electric cars once they are on the market. But above and beyond this, both of these innovations are economically SUSTAINABLE, unlike the property boom and the other old skool type markets that have got us into this mess

[Hazlitt]

It is the utter aversion to innovation that people like you suffer that has held this country back since its foundation

Hahaha, "aversion to innovation"?? I don't think so!

I just don't think the state is better at innovating than private individuals and organisations. Einstein didn't formulate his theory of relativity under the order of a government bureau you know!

But above and beyond this, both of these innovations are economically SUSTAINABLE,

The FACT of the matter is that private individuals and investors haven't put their money where your mouth is because at the moment there isn't enough demand for it. That's a fact.

unlike the property boom and the other old skool type markets that have got us into this mess

Well actually many people such as myself for a long time have been saying that the boom caused by inflation of the money supply and other bad central banking policies was not sustainable.

Anyway, stick to the point of the thread - we don't have the money for this shambolic waste. We are looking to cut costs - here's a no-brainer.

[jpc]

Electric car technology has a long way to go.
There are a new generation of fast charge Lithium ion batteries being tested.
That could be the time to jump.
If, If there is going to be structural investment. Make sur it is capable of being adapted to whatever innovations come along in the next decade.

[sandar]

heres the idea we can seel the cars to other plavces, the green sector is the only growth sector......

[Hazlitt]

If, If there is going to be structural investment. Make sur it is capable of being adapted to whatever innovations come along in the next decade.

Hi jpc,

Fat chance of the government having that kind of foresight and common sense! see the "port-tunnel height debacle" ! link - in fact just check out the whole litany of controversies! Also check out the Red Cow Roundabout, the M50, the Luas, the Underground.....

I think you have far more faith in the government than I do my friend!