Bord Bia Bloom Festival judges yesterday awarded the Citroen Power of One Climate Positive Show Garden designed by Nicola Haines, a gold medal and best in category medium garden award fending off stiff competition, writes Trish Whelan.
Mr Magee, who has worked for 25 years in the Irish motor industry, 20 of these with Renault, said his focus will be on continuing the work already undertaken in helping to position the Motor Industry as a leader and enabler of the green transition.
"The Motor Industry remains fully committed to working with Government to help achieve their Climate Action Targets," he said. "The industry is playing its part in the electrification process, and we need to build on the momentum already in the marketplace, with the right economic and taxation environment to support the uptake of new zero and low emissions vehicles.”
He called for no VRT/VAT increases in the upcoming Budget and wants the BIK’s recent reliefs extended for the foreseeable future. "Company vehicles will play a key role in helping to escalate the transition of electrification of the fleet, by increasing the number of new vehicles, we can also help supply and secure the used EVs market in the future.”
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VW ID.4 EV. |
The German company registered almost 31,900 units compared to 14,200 represented by Tesla.
The percentage share of the battery electric vehicle market across 28 European countries rose to a record 13ps in April, according to automotive market monitor JATO Dynamics.
Overall new car registrations in Europe rose 16pc compared to April of last year.
Meanwhile, the top selling models in Europe in April were the Dacia Sandero, the Volkswagen T-Roc and the Opel Corsa.
In a letter to John Byrne, head of ESB eCars, the IEVA says the charges are among the highest in Europe, and should be immediately reduced to pre-Ukraine war levels.
IEVA CEO Eamon Stack noted that a substantial part of Ireland's electricity is generated by wind, the base cost of which did not increase when Russia invaded Ukraine.
He also said the increases adopted quickly by ESB eCars when the wholesale gas market surged, have not been matched by speedy decreases when gas prices dropped.
Saying that the high charging prices will slow down the adoption of EVs, the IEVA has also written to Environment Minister Eamon Ryan, asking him to rectify the situation, as the state is a major stakeholder at ESB Group.
The new car is longer, taller and wider than the outgoing version, and there's also a longer wheelbase which provides for extra room inside. A new Touring estate version will come in 2024.
In addition to 208hp and 601hp petrol engine options, the new 5-Series will have an all-electric version, the i5 with 340hp and a rated range from 477km-582km. Plug-in hybrid versions are slated to arrive in early 2024.
There will be three trim options for the Irish market.
The Continental AllSeasonContact 2 represents an ideal tyre for Irish conditions, which can range through sun, drizzle, heavy rain and back to sun ... all in one summer's day.
And in winter, as Ireland's climate is less severe than in many of our neighbours on the continent, the AllSeasonContact 2 is still amply capable for safe and anxiety-free motoring for all kinds of cars, but especially those in constant use for ferrying families about their various interests and destinations. Mud and snow are well dealt with by what Continental describe as their 'most technologically advanced yet'.
New materials in the tyre’s construction and innovations in the tread pattern and compound have resulted in a six per cent reduction in rolling resistance compared to the tyre’s predecessor and have increased mileage by 15 per cent, without compromising on safety.
According to Tom Dennigan of Continental Tyres Ireland, "they really are the ideal choice for our mild Irish climate.”
The substantially revised front brings the car's styling right into line with more recent models changes and there are also significant changes to the interior trim and design.
The car will be offered with two fully electric powertrains of 136hp and 156hp with rated ranges of 357km-402km respectively. There will also be a full hybrid version.
More details on price and specification closer to launch here.