Electric cars will take off in Balearics thanks to car hire market, says President

PALMA
BALEARIC President Francesc Antich said yesterday that he was confident that the number of electric cars in circulation in the Islands would vastly exceed Central Government's forecast of 7'500 by the year 2015.

Antich said that the Islands were an “ideal” territory in which to use the rechargeable electric cars and that a real boost to their demand will be the hire car market.

Speaking after chairing a meeting of the special committee set up to oversee the launch and promotion of the electric car in the Balearics, the President said that the introduction of the new, sustainable form of transport has been necessary to minimise the use of carbon-based fuels. “It is in keeping with our vision of the future,” said Antich. He explained that when the cars are fully charged, they can run independently for between 80 and 150 kilometres. “That's what makes the Balearics such an ideal place to use the electric car,” said Antich, adding that the Islands is one of the regions of Spain where the ratio of electric cars to ones using petrol is the highest.

The President said that at the moment, there is only one car hire company on Formentera offering electric vehicles for hire. Now is the time, said Antich, when public institutions need to join forces with the private sector and promote electric car hire elsewhere in the Balearics.

Antich praised all the island councils for backing the government's long-term electric car plan and said that “a successful economy is only possible if it is sustainable.”