Government Subsidised Electric Cars

[jcdf]

Minister Eamonn Ryan has recently launched an electric Nissan. The Green lobby are in love with the idea of electric cars, no doubt powered by their lovely wind turbines in Ireland. Most people, including myself agree they are the future in some shape or form. What people, including myself, cannot agree on, as with many other things, is when they will become part of the present.
The idea of electric cars is nothing new. Electric cars have been around for decades. New prototypes are released every few years, each one better than the last, cheaper, faster, superior range. Electric cars released today are better than anything released to date such as the Mitsubishi I-Meiv-Around and the Tesla Roadster. From what I have heard these electric cars are still too slow, too costly and not very green. Is it right for government to subsidise something that is not yet technologically viable? If it were technologically viable then it would be capable of at least doing everything that a normal petrol/diesel car can. Clearly it is not otherwise it would not require government intervention.

From what I have read on of the major problems of the electric car is the battery. The current crop of lead batteries are heavy, take up a lot of space and take too long to recharge. There is a new type of batteries using carbon nano-tubes on the horizon that would improve on existing batteries. They do not exist yet though, so we shall have to wait.

I have never knowingly drove or taken a ride in an electric car nor even seen one besides in magazine pictures. Has anybody on P.ie ever used an electric car and is willing to recommend or criticise it?

[Seos]

SiliconRepublic.com: The age of the electric car - R&D
I think Lithium-ion battery powered cars(which these cars will be, see above) are more environmentally friendly.
I wonder how extensive the infrastructure that the above article says will be provided by the ESB be. If it is extensive then it would mean that you could use electric cars to get anywhere in the country (with a break to recharge in longer journeys)

The cars will be released here in 2011 before most of the world and after Japan and the USA.

Electric Nissan to debut in 2010
The battery will be leased with a monthly fee to the car owner rather then being included in the price of the car. An interesting idea but I wonder how they will deal with people who stop paying though.

[Gruffalo]

We would have decent electric cars already if it was not for the oil industry. I recommend the doc/movie "Who killed the electric car"

[Murra]

I'd have one in the morning, if only they came in 7-seaters. Apparently it costs 65c per day to charge the battery - it would save you a fortune!

[COMMIE]

In England becouse Electric car produce no C02 emiisions thay pay no road tax. But here in good old Ireland were are car are tax according to the C02 emission. Electric car are taxed!

So much for the Greens.

Oh and over there you get a grant if you buy a electric car too.

[MrFunkyBoogaloo]

I think electric cars are a great idea. However i don't think leasing the batteries would be a great pitch for any prospective buyer!

Now all we need is cheap electricity!!

Electric cars are a 'no-brainer' IMHO. They just make such good sense.

Although if they were going to really push them, why don't they put a time-limit on trading your old car in for a new electric one? (Yeh i know.. the lack of infrastructure). But say, by 2020, everyone must have an electric car?

It might create alot of investment in new, 'green', energy-producing technologies?!?

[COMMIE]

Just looks like to me another PR photo which will never be rolled out.

[Ah Well]

Seriously tho;

This seems to be the Nissan Electric Car for 2010;



Tbh I don't like the look of it and would be rather reluctant to drive around in it either - tis a bit like the Mr Bean of Motor Vehicles

Truthfully.... would you convert to such an electric car?

[Seos]

In England becouse Electric car produce no C02 emiisions thay pay no road tax. But here in good old Ireland were are car are tax according to the C02 emission. Electric car are taxed!

So much for the Greens.

Oh and over there you get a grant if you buy a electric car too.

The road tax would only be €100 Car Tax Rates in Ireland July Changes wouldn't it?

They are exempt from VRT here at the moment:
VRT.ie What are the VRT rates on electic vehicles and motorbikes?

[COMMIE]

The road tax would only be €100 Car Tax Rates in Ireland July Changes wouldn't it?

They are exempt from VRT here at the moment:
VRT.ie What are the VRT rates on electic vehicles and motorbikes?

This is 100 euros more then England in road tax. And if our car tax is base on C02 emission it should be nothing.

And in England you can get a grant of 5000 sterling i believe.