The Renewable Energy Directive states that the principal ways in which energy consumption in the transport sector can be reduced include transport planning, support for public transport, increasing the share of electric cars in production, and also producing cars which are more energy efficient. In April 2011, I opened the Electric Vehicle Grant Scheme to incentivise and support, through grants of up to €5,000, the early deployment of electric vehicles in Ireland. These grants are in addition to the VRT reliefs of up to €5,000 which apply to electric vehicles. This support scheme will remain open for this year.