Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has confirmed that at least 170 Ecar chargers, including 10 rapid chargers, will be available for motorists across Northern Ireland by summer next year.

The commitment comes following the confirmation (Wednesday 28 November) that under the EU Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) the Department for Regional Development will share a €2.1 million EU grant with the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) in the Republic of Ireland.

The grant will provide 50% funding for a major cross-border project to further develop the network of services for electric vehicles. The remaining 50% match-funding for Northern Ireland will come from a grant previously awarded by the Office for Low Emission Vehicles.

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Mr Kennedy said: "Northern Ireland is leading the way with the Ecar scheme and the enhanced network of charge points, which is internationally operable, will further demonstrates how electric vehicle technology is advancing."

The Minister discussed the details of the €2.1million award with the European Commission Vice-President and Transport Commissioner, Siim Kallas, at the TEN-T Connect to Compete event in Brussels and highlighted to Vice President Kallas how the project demonstrated that Northern Ireland could lead the way in developing innovative infrastructure in Europe.

The Minister continued: "This will undoubtedly encourage the take-up of electric vehicles."

The project in Northern Ireland is seen by the European Commission as an example to the rest of the EU of how to deliver fast charging infrastructure across member states.

(CD/GK)