Currently EV owners can have home charge points installed for free in their private driveways by ESB but limitations exist for apartments with shared parking areas where residents don’t have direct access to their own electricity supply. The solutions proposed will be adaptable to cater for underground, multi-storey or other privately run car park developments where EV owners may require access to charging facilities. This SBIR competition will support the development of this technology for Ireland and the growing international EV market.

Commenting Dr Brian Motherway, CEO of SEAI said: “As we accelerate towards a more sustainable energy future, we are continuously seeking innovative technologies which offer a better way of doing things. As well as supporting enterprise and innovation, this competition will help develop cleaner transport solutions for Ireland allowing us to make fuller use of our abundant renewable resources.”

Julie Sinnamon, CEO Enterprise Ireland, added: “Enterprise Ireland is excited to work with SEAI and ESB on this innovative initiative. We congratulate the winners of this small business initiative and look forward to seeing the outputs of this feasibility phase. Innovation is at the heart of gaining competitive advantage in global markets and central to our ability to create and sustain jobs in Ireland.”

Pat O’Doherty, CEO ESB said: “The electrification of transport is one of the key building blocks for bringing about a decarbonised society. Today’s announcement demonstrates how through this innovative competition structure, we can directly access the brain power and enterprise of Irish SMEs to solve challenges that the EV sector is experiencing globally.”

The companies have six months to develop their solution to pre-prototype stage, after which up to two will be selected for further funding (up to €100,000) to build their pre-commercial prototypes.

Full details on the competition are available on www.seai.ie.

Minister for Agriculture, Food, Marine and the Defence, Simon Coveney, T.D., who has championed the Drive4Zero initiative, was onsite at EMC to welcome the first commercial EV at the Ireland Centre of Excellence, Ovens facility.

“Together NOONAN and EMC provide a great model for businesses and corporates throughout Cork and indeed Ireland. By moving to electric commercial vehicles, they are reducing costs while lowering their carbon footprint with zero C02 exhaust emissions and promoting a cleaner environment,” said Minister Coveney TD at the EMC site in Ovens this week.

EMC and NOONAN actively support the Drive4Zero campaign, and as well as commercial electric vehicles in use, a number of their employees with EVs are availing of free charging and other EV benefits onsite.

“EMC is proud to support the Drive4Zero initiative which is in keeping with our Global Corporate strategy to reduce the organisations carbon footprint and align with the Ireland COE ISO 50001 energy efficiency strategy,” said EMC VP Ireland CoE Bob Savage.

The NOONAN fleet comprises a number of Nissan eNV200, provided by LeasePlan, and all parties involved expect to further increase the number of electric vehicles in the fleet in the coming months.

“We are delighted to work with EMC and LeasePlan to support the Drive4Zero initiative. Increasing the number of electric vehicles in the NOONAN fleet enables us to further reduce our carbon footprint. This is a key component of our sustainable development strategy.” – John O’Donoghue, CEO, NOONAN

“LeasePlan are happy to support the Drive4Zero initiative and NOONAN in adding the Nissan eNV200 to their commercial fleet,” said Lana Burke, LeasePlan.

Nissan have introduced a range of incentives to directly support companies and individuals moving to electric vehicles. As well the SEAI grant of €5,000 on purchase of an EV, buyers of the Nissan Leaf can avail of €4,000 scrappage. Nissan will also provide a free fast charging unit to companies purchasing electric vehicles as part of the Drive4Zero initiative. The fast charger enables 80% charging of an EV in just 25 minutes offering flexibility for staff, customers and suppliers.

There has been a steady increase in the number of EVs on Irish roads in recent months, and following the launch of the Drive4Zero campaign, companies throughout Cork are supporting the uptake of electric cars through the provision of free charging and other benefits in the workplace. Drive4Zero also delivers free tolls and free parking in Cork in Q-Parks and at the Black Ash Park & Ride facility.

Regional stakeholders such as Energy Cork, Cork City Council, Cork County Council, Cork Chamber and Q-Parks, are active Drive4Zero partners. Car manufacturers supporting Drive4Zero include Nissan, Renault, Mitsubishi Motors and BMW.

For more information on Drive4Zero, visit www.drive4zero.ie

Radek Pilat, who has been driving a petrol engine taxi on weekend shifts for the last seven years, said he was really excited about making the switch to an electric vehicle.

“I was spending up to €150 a week on petrol. But I can do up to 120km in my new car on about €1.50 of electricity,” he said. “I reckon I will save about €7,200 a year on fuel costs alone.”
Radek, who arrived in Ireland just over 12 years ago and who lives near Macroom, Co Cork, with his wife and two children, made the switch to an electric vehicle following the launch last October of the Drive4Zero initiative — an ambitious industry-government partnership to double the number of plug-in EVs on Irish roads within 12 months.

The project, which is being rolled out first in Cork, features a package of incentives including free parking in certain car parks, free charging, free charge points, waived toll charges, zero deposit, and 0% finance offers, to encourage drivers to make the switch.

It is being spearheaded by Marine Minister Simon Coveney and being rolled out by partners including Energy Cork, several car manufacturers, the ESB, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, and the SFI Research Centre for Marine Renewable Energy Ireland.

Radek said he explored the range of incentives and opted to go electric. “I also spoke to [Nissan] Leaf owners and they said they were very happy with the vehicle, and that it is a great car for city driving,” he said.

The car passed its final regulatory tests this week, clearing it to accept its first paying passengers this weekend.

Radek said he has been learning in recent weeks to manage the car’s battery life and its range. But he said there were so many charge points available across the city that “range anxiety” was not a problem.

“If I have to do a longer fare to some of the suburban towns like Carrigaline or Midleton, I might have to make time for a 20-minute charge afterwards, but that’s fine,” he said.

This news story was written by journalist Eoin English and appeared in the Irish Examiner on Saturday 7th Feb 2015

Cork City Council will provide 50 free parking passes to suitably qualified Electric Vehicle owners to park their Electric Vehicles in a designated area at the Black Ash Park & Ride.

Cork City Council will validate your parking ticket upon return to the Park & Ride.

Where?
At the BLACK ASH PARK & RIDE, Off the South Link Road.

How?
To register simply contact:
drive4zero@corkcity.ie OR phone the Transportation Division, Cork City Council, City Hall on 021-4924429.

Please note application forms are available at the Black Ash Park & Ride.
Completed Applications will be accepted by Park & Ride Staff.

Terms and conditions apply. To find out more about this Free Parking Initiative please contact drive4zero@corkcity.ie

If you would like to trial an ecar, please contact info@drive4zero.ie