09012024 - Flipbook - Page 31
31
TUESDAY JANUARY 9 2024
Is north stalling on embracing
more zero emission vehicles?
I
N
RECENT
push
for
solutions
years,
the
global
sustainable
has
initiatives
spurred
aimed
at
benets as well as the pitfalls associ-
energy
ated with petrol or diesel cars.
various
For example, late last year, the
reducing
chancellor’s
PLATFORM
carbon emissions.
One initiative making signicant
waves
the
in
the
Zero
media
this
Emissions
month
Vehicle
ing
more
expensive
again
for
A positive outcome of the ZEV
mandate
still
haps the lack of a compulsory obligation
change and as of January 3, the man-
the water, it could, in effect, create
just
date that at least 22% of all new car
conditions where manufacturers are
the
sales must be zero emission vehicles
keen to sell their quota of EVs by of-
land tackles the task ahead. Namely,
became
fering signicant incentives through
the
task
of
discounting.
network
to
and Wales.
Despite
icy,
being
developed
ernment,
gov-
Ireland drivers could stand to ben-
government
and
et from these cost incentives with
for
many of the cars on our roads cur-
Infrastructure, the mandate will not
is
restored,
wheth-
Scottish
Department
Stormont
of
pol-
Ireland’s
er
Irrespective
across
devolved
with
Welsh
Northern
a
market
in
is
the
vehicle
force
there
er UK regions is that, in stimulating
electric
into
said,
port alternatives to combat climate
Scotland
coming
being
vehicles (EVs) and other clean trans-
England,
electric
That
much of the journey to go and per-
in
of
fuel
households.
oth-
law
adoption
re-
will come into effect in March, mak-
CIARÁN O NEILL
(ZEV)
ments are implementing policies to
the
statement
was implemented back in 2022. This
is
mandate. Across the world, govern-
accelerate
autumn
versed the 5p per litre fuel duty that
Northern
Across the world, governments are implementing policies to accelerate the
adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and other clean transport alternatives to combat
climate change
a mandate really matter when we are
in orders for electric or hybrid cars –
and have been doing do. Businesses
already seeing an increased availa-
from 50% in 2021 to 70% in 2023.
can
er areas, we’re in danger of stalling
bility of EV models, a shift in driver
The reasons for this are clear. Lo-
when it comes to progress and read-
attitudes to electric vehicles and im-
cal businesses naturally understand
more
ily embracing the inevitable transi-
proving charging infrastructure?
the tax savings to be made by tran-
over to electric.
At
Not necessarily.
Radius
Vehicle
meet
the
U
open
to
Rachel
Smyth
they
antici-
launch
the
13th
Donaghadee,
pany cars to zero emission vehicles
more than ever, understanding the
branch
underscor-
ing the rm’s commitment to
meeting the growing demands
of the market.
It comes as a report published
ham
in
December
and
Reeves
by
Ben-
examining
house price growth at regional
and
local
levels
underscores
Northern Ireland’s strong performance in 2023, showcasing
a 2.5% rise in average house
prices
and
typical
gains
This
growth
Chris and Rachel Smyth, directors at Ulster Property Sales, which is
planning to open a new branch in Donaghadee
of
£4,406 in housing stock.
are
starkly
con-
preparing
13th
branch
to
in
launch
our
Donaghadee,
trasts with the trends in Eng-
an area which has seen very
land and Wales, where house
strong growth for us.
prices experienced declines of
1.1% and 2.4%, respectively.
Rachel
Smyth
said:
“2023
“We are still experiencing
to
Northern
Ireland
fers. This is a trend we believe
is set to continue.”
Chris Smyth added: “The
timing for prospective sellers
a lot of people relocating back
due
to
is very strong.
“Northern
trajectory
growth,
the affordability, the excellent
price
for our 12 branches in terms
education system and quality
reduced
of new listings, sales and rent-
of life on offer here.
enhanced
als,
and
our
witnessing
team
an
is
already
upward
lift
in
“The lower, mid and higher
markets
buyer
stock
with
and
condence
following recent interest rate
stabilisation,
positions
local
favourably
ings for the year ahead.
experiencing an above-listing
those contemplating property
price
transactions.”
with
performed
coupled
market
pos-
house
very well, with many houses
sale,
all
in
enquiries, valuations, and list-
“As we move into 2024, we
-end
Ireland’s
itive
was a particularly strong year
multiple
of-
mandate
at
which
Northern
expanding
its
of
in
Ire-
charging
accommodate
number
will
delays
EVs
the
on
evits
This expansion will require strategic planning, investment and real
collaboration
between
Stormont,
market
the
for
www.avisonyoung.co.uk/ni
munities.
One question remains – who is it
in the driving seat?
eets
we’ve recorded a signicant increase
ket” in 2024 as they prepare
in
their
Drivers themselves are now too,
pate “a strong property mar-
to
moving
sitioning corporate eets and com-
Property
say
objectives
Solutions
Sales directors Chris
and
mandate
even in its absence by simply being
UPS set to open
a 13th branch
LSTER
ZEV
policymakers, businesses and com-
Does that mean, like in many oth-
tion to greener vehicles?
the
unnecessary
roads.
In addition, does the absence of
Stormont can be agreed.
speed
er-growing
rently sourced from Britain already.
take affect here until a restoration of
like
mean
Ciarán O Neill is commercial
director
Solutions
at
Radius
Vehicle