OPW: Office of Public Works
Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí
Dr. Martin Mansergh, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Finance with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW), today announced the procurement of a first electric vehicle for the OPW’s fleet.
Dr. Mansergh said: "I am delighted today to announce that the Office of Public Works has purchased a new fully-electric vehicle to form part of this office’s Dublin fleet. The truck is a Smith Newton 7.5 tonne vehicle that will be used by OPW Furniture Division for deliveries and transport of furniture in and around the Dublin area".
Dr Mansergh continued "The new electric vehicle has a zero emission, 120 Kw motor, powered by Lithium-Ion phosphate batteries, and will be charged from a specially installed electric charging point at OPW's Furniture Division in Mountshannon Road, Kilmainham. The vehicle will be visible travelling around the city in the OPW colours, with "The Electric Vehicle" printed on all sides. The vehicle is capable of travelling up to 100km from one charge, and, as such, is seen as ideal for the wide range of delivery and transport functions carried out by Furniture Division in the Greater Dublin area".
Dr. Mansergh concluded: "I would like to acknowledge the assistance of Sustainable Energy Ireland for part-funding almost 50% of the cost of this vehicle. This new carbon-neutral truck is a further demonstration of this Government's stated intention to transform the Irish energy and transport sector. The target of this Government is that, by 2020, 10% of vehicles on Irish roads will be powered by electricity. I feel confident that the net gains to be derived by the use of electric vehicles, in terms of both air and noise pollution, will prove highly beneficial to the operation of the Office of Public Works, and I look forward to the gradual replacement of our older petrol and diesel fleet with electric vehicles, where appropriate, over the years to come".
Ends.
For further information contact Kevin Kennedy, OPW Press Office, (01) 647 6159 or (087) 930 3888.