Cork, Ireland, has launched a new initiative called Drive4Zero that aims to increase the adoption of electric vehicles in the country.
Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture and Defence, is at the helm of the initiative. Coveney TD himself has been driving an electric car in recent months.
The initiative brings different companies and industries bodies together to encourage more people to adopt electric vehicles and to make it easier for them to charge them at home, work or in public places.
Drive4Zero will get support from various organizations in the country. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) provides grants of €5,000 to each electric vehicle buyer while ESB provides free charge points for home or commercial sites.
Participating companies including Nissan, Renault, Mitsubishi and BMW are offering zero percent finance and zero deposit offers for those buying EVs from them. Zero toll charges will also apply for Cork ecar drivers.
Those who buy 100 percent electric cars will receive a grant of up to 5,000, while purchasers of plug-in hybrid electric cars will receive up to 2,500.
For the first 2,000 cars registered that qualify for the SEAI grant, the companies are offering free installation of home charge point. The cost of charging at home will be added to their regular domestic bill. Those who install a night-time meter will be able to avail cheaper night rate electricity.
Electricity at public and fast charge points will be at no cost until the payment processing system is implemented, and drivers will be notified of this in advance.
The project, which is run by UCC’s Marine Renewable Energy Ireland (MAREI), also has other partners like the city and county councils, Energy Cork, ESB and SEAI.
Customers who participate in this initiative also get free parking in some multistoreys in addition to free use of Cork’s Park and Ride and free tolls. The Government is looking at allowing electric vehicles to use bus lanes as well.
With this initiative, Drive4Zero hopes to march ahead of other regions in Europe in terms of electric vehicles adoption. The city also plans to focus on developing maintenance and commercial skills which would drive job creation and boost the economy.