Fine Gael believes Ireland "should take a leaf out of Norway's books" to encourage drivers to use and buy electric cars.

Dublin Senator, Catherine Noone, said life expectancy is being reduced by nine months due to the ingestion of toxic fumes from petrol and diesel vehicles.

Senator Noone said: "According to the World Health Organisation, air pollution from particulate matter, from both petrol – but more so diesel engines – is causing serious respiratory and cardiovascular illness from diseases such as lung cancer.

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"According to the latest figures, 37% of new cars bought in Norway last January were electric. This represents the highest rate of Electric Vehicle adoption globally.

"Here in Ireland in 2008, the then Coalition Government announced a target of having 200,000 electric vehicles (EVs) on Irish roads.

"It was an ambitious target, yet eight years later, despite the building of infrastructure to support electric cars, there are only 2,000 EVs on our roads – that’s a mere one percent of the then Government's original target.

"Although I'm aware that those who purchase electric and hybrid cars in this country are currently paying a lower rate of VRT than those buying petrol or diesel – there are several other incentives offered by the Norwegian Government that I believe we could introduce here also.

"These include no VAT on new electric cars, free parking in public car parks, driving in bus lanes, free access to toll roads, free road ferries and lower annual road taxes."

(CD/LM)