EVs should also flow free through all toll barriers to help us make the clean switchThe Green Party said today that Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten TD, should not allow electric vehicles to use bus lanes.Speaking today, Green Party Leader Eamon Ryan TD said: “While we welcome the Minister’s interest in promoting electric vehicles, we think this initiative will be counterproductive.“Irish drivers have been very disciplined in the way they respect bus lanes. The last thing we want to do is introduce any uncertainty around who should or should not be using them.“We are facing traffic gridlock in our cities and will have to give real priority to buses if we are going to get our transport system moving. The number of EVs is about to rapidly increase and the last thing we need is buses getting delayed as they approach busy junctions.“To promote electric vehicles we should be looking at improving the network of charging stations around the country. We need more quick charge points, and we need the current network to be maintained to a higher standard than it is now. We have had complaints from all around the country about out-of-order charging stations – sometimes for up to six months. The Minister has to address this urgently.“We would also like to see electric vehicles made exempt from tolls to encourage their uptake. This, coupled with a better charging system should see a big switch to EV's without us having to disadvantage the bus system.ENDSPress Release issued 28^th September 2016, page last updated 10th October 2016