Electric vehicles are only for the rich, claims Mayo councillor

A local councillor has said there is not much of a future in electric vehicles (EVs) unless there is a trade-in market for them.

Independent Cllr Richard Finn told last week’s meeting of Mayo Co Council's Roads and Sustainable Travel Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) that while he supports EVs and other environmental measures, he feels there are obstacles preventing people from committing to EVs.

“Until such a time that people can get a trade-in for their EV, I don’t see much of a long-term future. For people buying these vehicles, they find themselves in a situation where nobody wants to buy them back,” he said.

“If the Government, the EU and international governments want us to buy and use EVs, they have to come up with a better operation to encourage people to change from what they’re used to because at least that has a value.” 

Cllr Finn added that EVs are only “for the rich".

"It’s not a viable proposition for most people. EVs are there for the rich, the poor cannot afford to buy an EV. It is one section of society that EVs are being used by and the ordinary person is not in a position to invest in one.” 

Cllr Finn was backed by fellow Independent Cllr Patsy O’Brien who said EV infrastructure such as batteries were "useless" in the event of an accident.

Fine Gael Cllr Jarlath Munnelly said the local authority should cater to the needs of all people and expand the charging network.

“There are no EV chargers in my area of Killala and Ballycastle and we are missing out on locals and visitors to the Wild Atlantic Way.” 

Fine Gael Cllr Marie-Therese Duffy said a lot of visitors to north Mayo want to support eco-tourism by using EVs.

The council's Acting Head of Roads Conrad Harley said as the “only person in the room who drives an EV” he knows that journeys to areas such as Killala can be planned to ensure an EV has sufficient battery.

“A lot of people here are stating their personal opinion. Opinion is one thing, facts are another. An EV now has a range of 400km on a charge,” he said. “If you’re in Killala with a low battery, you can travel 10 minutes to Ballina and charge your vehicle and plan for this in advance.

“We do want to expand the network to ensure you don’t have to make this journey but the option is there."

The council's Director of Housing and Roads Tom Gilligan said Zero Emissions Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) is rolling out a strategy for EV chargers and has an engineer now working closely with the council on a pilot project for the Wild Atlantic Way and Downpatrick Head. He said around 17,400 EVs were newly registered last year and this trend needs to move upwards quickly.

“The Irish Examiner said ‘consumers were not ready’ for EVs but we need to get the public educated on EVs. It is a necessity as part of our climate goals,” he said.