A competition designed to develop solutions to encourage the uptake of electric vehicles (EVs) has been announced.

The Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) Competition, launched by Transport Minister Danny Kennedy, Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Arlene Foster and Environment Minister Mark H Durkan will close on 29 February 2014.

Minister Danny Kennedy said: "Following publication of the draft Northern Ireland Innovation Strategy 2013 – 2025, I, along with the DETI and DOE Ministers, agreed that officials should work to develop innovative and alternative mobile application solutions to encourage the uptake and awareness of electric vehicles in Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland ecar Project is one of the most comprehensive ecar infrastructure systems in the world, ahead of other major regions. This presents an opportunity for Northern Ireland to continue to advance to the next level of intelligence by creating innovative solutions for customers in encouraging the uptake of EVs."

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said: "The launch of this SBRI competition is an important step forward in helping to ensure the sustainability of the growing Electric Vehicle industry and its future growth. My department recognises the importance of using the buying power of the public sector as a key driver of innovation within the economy and SBRI provides us with a proven method to achieve this."

Environment Minister Mark H. Durkan said: "Our aim is to make Northern Ireland a leader in carbon reduction. Electric vehicles, ideally powered by electricity from renewable sources, is an excellent way to decarbonise transport and contribute to improving our climate, air quality and reducing noise. The ‘Electric Days Out’ mobile application competition will help encourage people to buy electric vehicles, and use sustainable transport for travel."

(IT/CD)