El Gobierno irlandés anunció hace varios meses su objetivo de que un 10% del parque total de vehículos del país fuera eléctrico en 2020, lo que supone 250.000 vehículos eléctricos. Esta meta está más cerca tras la firma del principio de acuerdo con la alianza Renault-Nissan y con la eléctrica ESB.
La energía eólica suministrará buena parte de la electricidad necesaria para recargar las baterías. Irlanda tiene 1.002 MW eólicos instalados, y un ambicioso plan de eólica marina.
A través de este memorandum de entendimiento todas las partes implicadas trabajarán para crear las condiciones adecuadas para la distribución de automóviles eléctricos en el mercado irlandés de las marcas Renault y Nissan.
"En noviembre hicimos una llamada al mercado para informar de que Irlanda estaba abierta al negocio de coches eléctricos. Nuestra llamada ha sido respondida por Renault-Nissan y quiero darles la bienvenida al mercado irlandés con sus nuevos productos", explicó Ryan durante la firma del convenio.
Asimismo, el ministro de energía de Irlanda aseguró que esta iniciativa servirá para cambiar las calles, así como para recortar las emisiones de CO2 y para "modificar la cara del transporte" en el país. "Esta colaboración aportará al mundo un modelo de cómo los vehículos eléctricos pueden funcionar globalmente", añadió.
Por su parte, el consejero delegado de ESB, Padraig McManus, señaló que este acuerdo es una oportunidad para Irlanda de demostrar su liderazgo "en la revolución verde". Además, resaltó que su empresa tiene el objetivo de llegar a contar con unas emisiones de CO2 neutrales en 2035.
Finalmente, el vicepresidente senior de Nissan, Andrew Palmer, señaló que la alianza Renault-Nissan llevará a cabo una colaboración exitosa con Irlanda en el desarrollo y la implantación de vehículos eléctricos en este país.
A principios de semana, la empresa pública Proton de Malaisia y Detroit Electric, una firma con sede en Holanda, firmaron un acuerdo por 555 millones de dólares para fabricar coches eléctricos a principios del próximo año. Tesla Motors, con sede en Estados Unidos, cuenta con dos modelos eléctricos que serán producidos en el 2011.
General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. y Nissan Motor Co., piensa fabricar igualmente vehículos eléctricos y Mitsubishi Motors Corp. aumentará la producción de su vehículo eléctrico tras ser rápidamente tramitados los primeros 2.000 pedidos.
Los gobiernos de Estados Unidos, Europa y Japón ofrecen o piensan ofrecer subvenciones, como exenciones fiscales, a los consumidores para que adquieran vehículos eléctricos.
——————————————-
Car manufacturer Renault-Nissan is to sign a deal with the Government later today, on bringing its electric vehicles to the Irish market.
The Government wants 250,000 cars and vans, or 10% of vehicles, to be electric within a decade.
The Government objective of introducing electric cars to the Irish market has been well-publicised, as well as its commitment to provide tax incentives for making the switch.
The hope is that by boosting renewable energies, like wind, and improving the electricity grid the introduction of electric cars will lead to a significant drop in carbon emissions in the transport sector.
To achieve that goal, Minister for Energy Eamon Ryan will sign a deal with car maker Renault-Nissan on providing vehicles to Ireland both for business and the private user.
The ESB is to provide a network of recharging points, while allowing people to recharge their vehicles at night at cheaper rates.
Other car manufacturers will be watching closely to see how today’s deal impacts on their business plans.
———————
The Irish government, ESB and the Renault-Nissan Alliance move towards zero emission mobility
Dublin, 2009, April 3. Energy Minister Eamon Ryan today announced a major move in the electrification Irish motoring.
In a hugely significant and new collaboration between Government, between the semi-state electricity supplier ESB and between car manufacturers Renault-Nissan, these electric vehicles will be on Irish roads within 2 years.
“This historic agreement”, said Minister Ryan “is proof of Government’s firm intention to act on the electrification of transport. Some months ago, I announced the Government target to move to at 10% target of electric vehicles by 2020. Today’s Memorandum of Understanding will help us not only realise, but surpass this target. We are well on our way and our streets will see the change very shortly”.
The Memoranda of Understanding (signed by Minister Ryan on behalf of the Government) and by Padraig McManus (for ESB) will create favourable conditions for the distribution of electric vehicles to the Irish market by Renault-Nissan.
“In November, we sent a call to the market that Ireland was ‘open for business’ on electric cars. Our call has been answered by Renault-Nissan and I’d like to welcome them to the Irish market with this new product Today we sign, what I hope will be the first of many agreements with interested companies”. The Irish Government’s intentions are not product-exclusive.
“Today’s initiative will transform our streets, will cut carbon emissions and change the face of transport in Ireland,” he said. “Again we see the ESB stepping up to the plate to secure Ireland’s future and I commend them for their vision and work in this regard”.
“This collaboration will provide the world with a model for how electric vehicles can be achieved globally. We will continue to press ahead”. ESB Chief Executive Padraig McManus described today’s development as an “an opportunity for Ireland to demonstrate its leadership in the green revolution, including in electric transport”.
“ESB has set out its plans to become carbon neutral by 2035 and carbon neutral electricity will power an emissions-free transport system. ESB will roll out a charging network to support the development. We will guarantee open access to all electricity suppliers and car manufacturers and can ensure adherence to the strictest safety standards for the recharging points”, he said.
“The roll-out of electric vehicles will provide major employment opportunities in a number of areas”, he said. Speaking at today’s announcement, Andrew Palmer, Senior Vice President, Nissan Motor Company, said the Renault-Nissan Alliance looks forward to a successful partnership with Ireland.
“We regard Ireland as a leader in the EV project. Demography and political support make Ireland one of the most suitable locations for a large scale roll out of electric vehicles. Renault and Nissan are particularly pleased to be working with the Irish Government and ESB in putting in place the correct conditions to support electric transport”.
About ESB
Founded in 1927, ESB is Ireland’s leading electricity company. It is a vertically integrated utility that generates, distributes and supplies electricity in a regulated energy market. ESB Group employs approximately 6,500 people and sub-company, ESB International, employs 1,200 on its overseas business that has spanned more than 100 countries. One of Ireland’s most successful companies with an annual turnover of €3.5 billion, ESB has grown in value from €2.5 billion in 2002 to approximately €6.5 billion today.
Renault
The Renault Group generated global revenues of €37,791 million in 2008. It designs, engineers, manufactures and sells passenger and light commercial vehicles throughout the world. The Renault Group is present in 118 countries and sells vehicles under its three brands – Renault, Dacia and Samsung. The Renault Group employs 129,000 people worldwide.
Nissan
Nissan Motor Co. generated global net revenues of 10.824 trillion yen in 2007. Nissan is present in all major global auto markets selling a comprehensive range of cars, pickup trucks, SUVs and light commercial vehicles under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. Nissan employs over 220,000 people worldwide.
The Renault-Nissan Alliance
The Renault Nissan Alliance, founded in 1999, sold 6,090,304 vehicles in 2008. The objective of the Alliance is to rank among the world’s top three vehicle manufacturers in terms of quality, technology and profitability.
www.esb.ie/main/home/index.jsp
