The Future is Electric at An Post Insurance

As an Irish company, we’re lucky to be based in a country with a rich natural landscape, from dramatic cliff views to rolling green hills. We know that if we want to preserve that beauty for the next generation, we need to put sustainability at the centre of our priorities.

One of the best ways to protect our planet is to opt for environmentally-friendly driving where possible. In our own lives, that usually means choosing electric or hybrid vehicles over diesel and petrol.

The Evolution of Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicles (or EVs, for short) have been around since the late 1800s, when they were first introduced by innovators in Europe and the United States. In 1898, Ferdinand Porsche, the founder of his eponymous brand, designed the electricity-powered Egger-Lohner C.2 Phaeton – although with a top speed of 25km/h, it was significantly slower than its modern sportscar cousins. By 1900, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, electric vehicles accounted for around a third of all vehicles on the road. New York City even had a fleet of more than sixty electric taxis, preferred by many as a quieter, better-smelling alternative to their petrol-powered counterparts.

For the next 100 years or so, as petrol became more affordable and the internal combustion engine advanced, petrol and diesel cars became much more popular. By the 1990s, however, electric vehicles were coming back into focus as we realised how damaging fossil fuels are to the environment. Since the start of the 21st century, scientists, engineers, and automotive designers have turned their attention to making electric vehicles the future of modern driving. There have been a few hiccups along the way – batteries are an ongoing challenge – but a recent report by McKinsey & Company indicates that there could be more than 70 million electric vehicles on the road by 2030.

Benefits for the Planet and our Pocket

That would be good news for the environment as “EVs produce less harmful emissions than an internal combustion engine,” says the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). “That's even when we take the fuel used to generate their electricity into account.” There are other knock-on benefits too, according to the SEAI, such as reduced wear and tear on tyres and brakes, so they don’t have to be changed or recycled as often. Electric and hybrid cars also produce less air pollution and road noise, leading to better air quality and a more enjoyable experience for pedestrians, cyclists, and local residents.

Here in Ireland, there are lots of other benefits to owning an electric car, including saving money – the SEAI estimates that “fuelling an EV can cost 80% less than fuelling a comparable petrol vehicle”. They also fall in the lowest road tax band (currently costing €120 per year) and are eligible for discounted road tolls. Maintenance bills can be lower too, as there are fewer parts to be replaced or go wrong, like alternators, start motors, spark plugs and fuel filters.

While many EV drivers choose to charge their cars at home, there is a growing network of charging points in businesses, forecourts, and public places throughout the country.

Supporting a Sustainable Future

At An Post insurance, we’re proud to be part of the An Post family, who put sustainability at the heart of its service. An Post was the first postal service provider in the world to attain zero carbon emission delivery status in a capital city. They use 100% renewable energy in their buildings, have the largest EV fleet in the state and the largest private charging network.  Their Green Hub helps customers improve their energy efficiency, save on bills, and help the environment with a home energy upgrade or an electric car.

An Post Insurance has been at the heart of Irish communities for more than two decades, adapting as our customers sought to protect their petrol, then diesel and now electric and hybrid cars. In that time, we’ve worked to build sustainability into our personal and professional lives, from driving eco-friendly family cars to introducing paperless digital signing. We’ll continue to evolve to make sure we can offer the best cover and care to our customers; however, they choose to power their car. We’re a modern, future-focused company that’s human about car insurance – and that means taking care of our environment for the next generation too.

One Direct (Ireland) Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of An Post.

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