Electric Vehicles – the way of the future?

In recent weeks I’ve been doing some research into Electric Vehicles (EVs) because they seem to have the best potential to get us away from fossil fuel in our transport fleet.

The International Energy Agency warned in its World Energy Outlook 2008 document that we can expect to see oil supplies reduce at a rate of about 9% per annum going forward. This rate will probably be higher because of the huge reduction in investment in oil infrastructure and exploration in the last 6 months due to the  excessively low oil price at present, and the unavailability of investment funds due to the global economic collapse.

The three primary uses of energy in Ireland are spaceheating, electricity generation, and transport. They break down roughly as 30%:30%:40% respectively.

Of these, Transport is the one that presents the most insurmountable problems because there are no obvious replacements.

Have a look at this Video for a concise overview of the subject, and a roadmap for how we go forward.

 
In recent weeks Minister Eamon Ryan has travelled to Silicon Valley to meet the Companies working at the cutting edge of EV development, and since his return he has teamed up with the Renault-Nissan project, and the ESB, to make sure that Ireland is a major player in the development of these new Technologies.

Renault, Nissan To Supply EVs to Ireland

230,000 electric cars by 2020, says Ryan

Here’s a pic of a current Renault-Nissan prototype EV

It is also worth noting that the three Green Party Ministers all drive Toyota Prius hybrids – and Trevor Sargent’s was bought second hand from Galway after it had been used by Green Councillor Niall O’Brolchain when he was Lord Mayor.

But this is nothing new – John Gormley used a Rapeseed powered Volkswagen Golf Umwelt as his Mayoral Car when he was Lord Mayor of Dublin back in 1995.  I remember reading about it at the time (long before I ever thought of joining the Green Party).

Deputy Mary White and I both drive Rapeseed fueled cars, and a number of Green Party members are using electric vehicles.

Senator Dan Boyle’s Electric Crew Bus

Senator Deirdre De Búrca’s Electric Powered Ford Transit

Councillor Gene Feighrey with her Electric UCV

Councillor Ruairi Holohan with his Elecric REVAi

Green Candidate in Wexford, Seán Reidy with his EV

Here’s a pic of me with a REVAi at the recent Tramore Energy Show

But I’d much prefer one of these Tesla Electric Sportscars

We, as a nation, have to move away from fossil fuels as fast as we possibly can. These Electric Vehicles are the best way we can get that transition underway. These vehicles are on sale now, at reasonable prices, and while they might not be suitable for some uses, Shai Agassi fairly nailed it in the video above when he said that we can always have a second car for long journeys or where the EV isn’t up to the job.

But I really do want a Tesla!