:::   AN TAOISEACH LAUNCHES WORLDS LARGEST ELECTRIC VEHICLES INTO IRELAND.   On Friday last 27th of June, An Taoiseach Mr Brian Cowen officially opened new premises of Avia Trucks Ireland in Tullamore, Co Offaly. The company is owned by Clara couple David & Anna Marie Mullen who have operated the franchise for Avia Commercial Vehicles in Ireland for the last number of years.   They have now launched a new business, Electric Vehicles Ireland and have acquired the Irish franchise for Smith Electric Vehicles.   Smith Electric Vehicles, based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the UK, are the world’s largest manufacturer of road going electric commercial vehicles and a global leader in zero emission technology and have been producing zero emission vehicles since 1920.   On Friday, the Taoiseach also officially launched this exciting new range of vehicles into Ireland. The opening and launch was attended by leading people in the public state sectors, logistic companies, home delivery, parcel post business’s and many more   During his speech, Mr Cowen congratulated the company on their new premises and mentioned that” myself and David go back a long way” and praised this “far sighted couple for having introduced these vehicles particularly at this time. These people have looked to the future and brought it to Tullamore” He further stated that he was “particularly pleased to see that one of the first customers of these vehicles will be the ESB”. He also commented that “the state sector should play a leading role in showing how to become environmentally friendly”   Mr Brendan Halligan, Chairman of Sustainable Energy Ireland attended and addressed the people present. Mr Halligan is a former Chairman of Bord na Mona and a former General Secretary of the Labour party. He was previously a member of the Dail, Senate and of the European Parliament. In his speech he confirmed that he had actually driven the Smith Edison van and that it was a pleasure to drive. He complimented David & Anna Marie Mullen on their new premises and pointed out that they had brought these electric vehicles to the real capital of Ireland, Tullamore. He said that “there is no argument, no excuse for fleet managers to do now what they know they ultimately have to do. The two major contributors to emission problems are the agriculture and transport sectors. In relation to the transport sector, the solution is staring us in the face” He mentioned the fact that the Israeli government had issued a challenge for someone to produce a zero carbon emission passenger car and that Renault and Nissan had responded. He thought about bringing a delegation including Ministers Eamonn Ryan, Noel Dempsey and John Gormley to Israel to see it being planned. Mr Halligan said that “we should come to Tullamore instead, its beginning here” Electric Vehicles Ireland can now show that” what was theoretically possible is actually practically possible and now commercially feasible” Mr Andy Granger, Sales Director of Avia Ashok Motors, Prague spoke of Avia’s long relationship with David Mullen and confirmed that in Ireland, Avia had 15% market share in their particular weight category and is the best performing country in Europe outside of its home market in the Czech Republic.   Mr Doug MacAndrew, Technical Director, Smith Electric Vehicles UK, gave an overview of the current range and a flavour of what is being planned for the future which includes an electric London taxi currently being developed and available from mid 2009.   David Mullen, Managing Director of both Avia Trucks Ireland and Electric Vehicles Ireland welcomed An Taoiseach Mr Brian Cowen, invited guests and everyone present. In his speech in relation to the cost of electric vehicles, he said “I want to make one very quick point to dispel a myth that electric vehicles are expensive. At the moment and allowing for a modest 10% increase in oil and electricity prices, based on 20,000 miles per annum, one will start saving money after year 4.Of course if fuel rises by 25% each year, savings will occur after 3 years. Annual savings thereafter could be € 14,000 and rising” He thanked the ESB for attending as purchasers of the first Smith Edison Vans and also Peter Cosgrave from Grange Builders Providers, Baldoyle, Dublin the purchaser of the first Smith Newton 10 tonne truck. These vehicles should be on the road in Ireland within weeks.   A presentation was made to An Taoiseach by Anna Marie Mullen, of a specially commissioned piece of bog oak.       For more information on the full range of electric vehicles available at Electric Vehicles Ireland, Tullamore, Co. Offaly visit  www.smithelectricvehicles.com   100% TAX WRITE-DOWN FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN YEAR 1

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