City to get electric charging points for cars

Ministers Conor Murphy and Edwin Poots have announced that funding by the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) of up to 850,000 has been awarded to support the installation.

Roads Minister Mr 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 in the North.

"With this funding in place the pilot project can begin which will see charging points installed in six towns and cities across the North - Belfast, Derry, Newry, Armagh, Enniskillen and Larne and on a number of major roads.

"It is a great example that the North could compete and be successful in this highly competitive process. 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."

Environment Minister Mr 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, Donnellys Motors, Intel, SAP and a number of local councils. In addition to installing charging points, this money will be used to conduct research.

Mr 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."

Mr Poots said: "I look forward to seeing the benefits which the project will undoubtedly bring and its contribution to our climate change, air quality and noise objectives."