Electric Cars Charge Ahead In NI

Northern Ireland has been awarded funding for a pilot project to kick-start the use of electric cars.

Charging points for electric cars will be put in place in Belfast as well as in five other towns and cities across NI.

Stormont Ministers Conor Murphy and Edwin Poots (pictured) announced that money from the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) of up to £850,000 has been awarded to support the installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure here.

Minister Murphy said: "I welcome the news that the joint DRD and DOE bid has been successful and we have received funding to kick start the use of electric vehicles," he said noting the pilot project can begin and will see charging points installed in Belfast, Londonderry, Newry, Armagh, Enniskillen and Larne and on a number of major roads.

"The use of Electric Vehicle Infrastructure will help us reduce emissions from transport and will promote innovation. Overall this is exciting news for our economy, our environment and the region as a whole."

Minister Poots added: "Road transport is responsible for almost a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions in Northern Ireland.

"The use of alternative fuels, like electricity, can help reduce these emissions, and also help alleviate local air quality problems. I see electric vehicles as an exciting part of our transport future which are increasingly set to become an important alternative to fossil fuel powered travel."

The funding has been awarded as part of the Plugged In Places initiative which is run by the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) in London.

The bid, led by DRD and DOE, was made by a consortium of funders including NIE, ESB, NIE Energy, Donnelly's Motors, Intel, SAP and a number of local councils.

In addition to installing charging points, this money will be used to conduct research.

Minister Murphy commented: "The consortium has brought together public and private sector interests for a purpose that can change the North for the better.

"This is the start of an exciting new phase of the project and I wish the team well as they begin to implement the scheme."

See: Electric Car Revolution Revs-Up

(BMcC/KMcA)