By Gerry Murphy

Reductions in the incentives to purchase an electric vehicle are coming on July 1 just in time for the 232 plate. The Irish Government is chopping the buyers grant back by €1,500 to €3,500. Price will now become even more of an issue for prospective buyers, and this is probably just the start. The SEAI grant of €5,000 will remain for now though.

A recent survey says that 35% of Irish motorists plan to purchase an electric or hybrid model as their next car. Nearly 60% of these say that they will choose to purchase hybrid or electric cars because they believe that they are cheaper to run with environmental reasons coming second place in their decision.

Cheaper EV models from China are coming on stream and traditional car-makers are looking over their collective shoulders as the competition becomes greater. It will be interesting to see if any car-makers take the hit of the Government’s cuts or pass the reduction on to customers?

One of these Chinese models has already arrived in Galway. Connolly’s in Ballybrit have officially been appointed retailers for ORA GWM and their new electric car, the ORA Funky Cat. Jokes aside there is a lot on offer here with the model being available in two grades; the 300 PRO with a 310km range and the 400 PRO+ with a range of 420KM. Prices start from €31,995 and includes features such as facial recognition, voice recognition, 360 – cameras and adaptive cruise control as standard.

Next month another new car from the world’s biggest electric vehicle manufacturer, BYD will be launched here on April 24. Motor Distributors Limited (MDL), the Irish importer of Mercedes-Benz cars has been announced as the manufacturers’ partner in the Republic of Ireland.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App

Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.

Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.

Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite  HERE.

Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.