The Government is to provide a €5,000 grant to incentivise the public to purchase electric cars.
Energy Minister Eamon Ryan said the grant would make electric vehicles comparable in price to conventional cars, but they would run at 20% of the cost.
The Government wants Ireland to become an effective test site for electric cars, with a goal of 10% of all vehicles running on electricity by 2020.
Last year, the Government signed a strategic deal with Nissan Renault, and today Renault is showcasing its new electric vehicle, the Fluence.
The ESB has already committed to installing 1,500 charging points across the country before the end of next year.
