The Irish launch of an EU funded electric vehicle project which sees Trinity College Dublin partner with ESB, Codema and Cork City Council was launched recently in Trinity College by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte. The Green eMotion EU Project aims to advance the use of electric vehicles and involves collaborations with car manufacturers, energy utilities, universities, and technology and research institutions across Europe.

The four Irish based partners will receive €1.5million in funding out of a total budget of €24million. The four-strong consortium will work together to conduct research and studies into national electric car use and the different technologies that can be deployed to maximise sustainable transport methods.

Professor of Civil Engineering at Trinity College, Margaret O’Mahony said: “The research that will be undertaken by Trinity College’s School of Engineering as part of Green eMotion will answer key questions about battery range, how people use and charge electric vehicles, the potential impact of increasing numbers of electric vehicles in Ireland and the impact on the environment.”

As well as contributing to the overall objectives Ireland has the specific responsibility within the project for developing the design criteria for electric vehicle charging networks; fleet management of electric vehicles and studying the connection and construction techniques for charging points. More advanced charging systems are being developed as part of the project and some of these will be field trialed in Ireland.

One of the key objectives of the project is to develop European processes, standards and IT solutions that allow electric vehicle motorists easy and seamless access to charging infrastructure and related services throughout the European Union. Standardisation is also a key factor for a fast and cost efficient European roll out of electric car infrastructure.

ESB Chief Executive, Padraig McManus, said that a pan-European approach was the best formula for the practical promotion of electric transport and the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. Green eMotion is intended to ensure the fast-track success of electric vehicles. “The aim of this project is to bring together the best technologies and academic research in order to develop a sustainable transport system that finds acceptance among the driving public. It is an integrated European approach to deploy electric transport, including vehicles, infrastructure, grid, IT applications and user acceptance”, he said.

The Director of Codema, Gerry Wardell, said that Dublin city currently emits five million tonnes of C02 each year. “By adopting more sustainable transport methods such as electric vehicles we could save up to 140 kilotonnes of C02 each year and achieve annual net cost savings of up to €27 million. Therefore we must move towards cleaner, green transport options in order to achieve our vision of an energy-smart city”, he added