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Showing posts with label Dublin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dublin. Show all posts

News: Dublin taxi driver saves €6,500 by going electric

Posted by Alex Bale Thursday, January 31, 2013

Using an electric taxi has saved taxi driver, Padraig Daly, approximately €6,500 over the last 18 months. The 100% electric Nissan LEAF which has been part of a trial between ESB ecars and National Radio Cabs (NRC) and has clocked up over 55,000km. The trial, to evaluate electric vehicles as part of the taxi industry, has been deemed so successful that it will be extended for another year.


Analysis shows that savings of up to 12.9 cent per km can be achieved by driving an electric vehicle, powered by night rate electricity, in comparison with a conventional car. For 55,000km, this would equate to fuel savings of over €6,500 and a net reduction in over four tonnes of CO2 emissions.

In addition to the fuel and emission savings, electric vehicles also benefit by availing of a government grant of up to €5,000 on the purchase price, qualifying for the lowest band of road tax (€120 per annum), and from significantly lower maintenance and service costs. Over the 18 months, services costs experienced by the e-Taxi were minimal.

The ecar can be re-charged at night at the taxi driver’s home through a dedicated home charge-point, allowing him to avail of low night rate electricity tariffs. He can also easily charge during the day at any of the on-street charge-points around Dublin city which have been installed by ESB.

Manager of ESB ecars, Dermot McArdle said: “Ireland's first e-Taxi trial has been a huge success and we are delighted in conjunction with our partners, NRC Taxis, to extend it by another year. The long term trial in a real life environment endorses the suitability of Electric Vehicles as both taxis and for the general public. To support electric vehicles, ESB is continuing to roll out a growing network of public charging infrastructure. In Dublin alone, there are over 120 public charge-points including ten fast chargers.”

 “The e-Taxi has proved really popular with passengers,” said Padraig Daly of NRC Taxis. “Most are pleasantly surprised at how well it performs in comparison to petrol-or diesel-fuelled cars, and how quiet it is,” he said.  

Liam Brady, Managing Director of NRC Taxis said: "NRC Taxis are honoured to be associated with the ESB and the e-Taxi over the past two years. It has been enlightening for us, as a company, to engage with such an initiative; which not only is good for the environment but also beneficial as a cost saving measure in running a taxi. We would expect more drivers to take up the electric option in the coming years and NRC look forward to being a part of that e-Taxi future."

News: Classics expecting record RDS turnout

Posted by Alex Bale

Modern cars are all well and good (reliable, smooth, economical, usually not rusty) but if you want to have some serious fun with motoring, you have to delve into the world of classic cars.

Encompassing everything from Minis, Anglias and Cortinas to Ferraris, Maseratis and Lamborghinis, the organisers of the inaugural RIAC National Classic Car Show announced today that the up-coming event has surpassed all their expectations. Taking place in the RDS Simmonscourt on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th of February, the first National car show the RIAC have organised since 1908 promises to be an eclectic gathering of vehicles spanning the last century of motoring in Ireland.

As the event has developed the organisers have had to take extra space in the RDS to accommodate the growing list of vehicles that will be on show. Many of the cars on view have been rescued and lovingly restored from, in some cases, barns and ditches they were found in, from all corners of the world. According to the organisers the quality of some of the restorations is impeccable and a true sign of the dedication of enthusiasts in Ireland.

Bob Montgomery, Event Co-ordinator, stated, “We are thrilled with the response from the clubs and individual collectors who want to be part of this event. I can confirm that we will have a fantastic representation of vehicles from early in the 1900's right up to more modern cars that are already viewed as classics of the future. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if we had vehicles that were at our last show in 1908 as new cars, now on display this time as timeless classics. All I can say is If you like motor cars this is a must-see event to put into your calenders.”

Visitors to the show will also have access to experts in the classic and vintage car world who can offer advice on choosing the right car through to actually taking on restoration projects. With such an array of vehicles on display you want to make sure they are protected at all times and it is appropriate the event is supported by classic car insurance specialists, AXA Insurance.

Myles O'Reilly of AXA Insurance "We have been involved with the classic car movement in Ireland, for nearly forty years, and we are delighted to support the RIAC National Classic Car Show as the main sponsor. This event will showcase the very best cars reflecting our Irish motoring heritage."

As a virtual paradise for car lovers, visitors will be able to get up close to cars that they have up to now only had a chance to read about or see pictures of in a book. They will not only be able to see cars from some private collections that have never been on display to the public before but they will also be treated to live entertainment that will appeal to all the family.

Bob Montgomery continued, “I feel that it is very important for those of us involved in the classic car scene that we have an opportunity to share our enthusiasm with others. We have not forgotten that enthusiasts have families as well. That is why the Show is geared to being a family friendly weekend. We are also hoping that we can show people that there are classic cars that are affordable and easy to maintain yet continue to have that unexplainable 'je ne sai quoi' that make them so desirable. Aside from the cars it should be a great day out for everyone.”

For spectacular displays of truly amazing classic cars and entertainment for all the family, visit The RIAC National Classic Car Show Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th of February, 2013, open 10am – 6pm each day.

News: Ireland's first Toyota dealership hits 75

Posted by Alex Bale
  
It seems to be that businesses are falling by the wayside every few minutes in these dark times of austerity, but there are a few, a select few, that have true longevity. How about one that began life as the dark clouds of war gathered over Europe, and has traded, survived and prospered through Cold War, moon landing, Haughey, Jack Charlton and Bertie? Well done Linders of Chapelizod, for hitting your 75th birthday.


To celebrate the auspicious 75 year milestone, Linders will be extending its 3 years free servicing deal and offering a minimum scrappage of €2,075 against new cars from Monday, 28th of January until Saturday, 12th of February. All customers will be entered into a draw to win the opportunity for a loved one living abroad to be flown home free of charge for the Gathering 2013.
 
“2013 is a proud year for the Linders family and team,” said Paul Linders, Dealer Principal, incoming President of SIMI and the third generation of the family involved in the business, having taken over from his father Joe in 2002. “The Linders name has been synonymous with quality in motoring for the last 75 years. Our longevity in the business is testament, not only to the loyal and talented team that we’ve been lucky enough to work with over the decades, but also to our extremely loyal customer base, and we’d like to thank everyone who has helped get to where we are today.

“Surviving in this current economic downturn is not easy, but we feel very fortunate to be a Toyota dealer, which with its phenomenal value, choice and continued status as a firm favourite with Irish motorists, puts us in a strong position for continued success in 2013.We’ve already seen great interest in the new 131 plate and Toyota has some phenomenal new cars coming through this year, including the already available new generation Auris and Auris Hybrid, and the new Yaris Hybrid – Ireland’s first B segment full hybrid.  Toyota will also soon be launching a new generation Rav 4, Verso and a Prius 7-seater, all of which amount to even further choice and value on offer to our customers than ever before.”

Started by Sonny Linders in Smithfield in 1938, Linders began as a service repair garage and the business developed into a dealership selling Austin, Commer, Hillman, Morris and Fiat brands.  In 1973 Linders became the first appointed Toyota dealer in Ireland. Since then, Sonny, his sons Joe and Patrick, and his grandson Paul, have successfully expanded the business and moved to a new location in Chapelizod in 2002.

According to Paul Linders, “Most of Dublin knew my Granddad as “Sonny Linders”. My earliest memories of him are of walking with him down the market in Smithfield.  It used to take ages because everyone knew him and he’d stop and talk with everyone we met. He loved the business and all the people in it and worked tirelessly every day until the day he died. Even today, one of my favourite things is hearing stories about him and meeting Dubliners who bought their first car from him. I’m very proud of the fact that many of those families still come to us to buy and service their cars today.

“A portrait of my Granddad hangs in our offices keeping an eye on things even still. I know he’s proud of what we have become in Chapelizod and the direction in which the business is going. He taught me to always try to improve, to look at things from the customers point of view and most importantly, never to take no for an answer, unless it came from him!” 

News: Dublin gets free wifi

Posted by Alex Bale





I know we're a car website, but hey, we love our technology too and with the 3G signal around the nation being as flakey as a box of Cadbury's, here's some welcome news for those of us trying to access our emails when out and about.


The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Naoise Ó Muirí today launched Dublin Free WiFi at Barnardo’s Square, Dublin 2 (beside City Hall Dame Street). This new service will offer both Dubliners and visitors to the city access to free WiFi, 24/7, at key locations around the city. The rollout of free public WiFi contributes to the Digital infrastructure in the city.

Uniquely the WiFi hotspots will be identified by wall mosaics which will feature “digidub” characters, modern and historical. Fourteen different characters will be rolled out , with a Viking (above), a street cleaner, a tourist, a rockabilly girl and pyjama girl being visible on 31st January. Dubliners will be invited to suggest additional characters (come on; surely the cast of The Snapper are shoe-ins?)

“Our future economic success, our ability to attract talent and investment and our competitive branding internationally means we have to use and apply digital technologies now.  I am delighted to be here today to launch Dublin Free WiFi. This project is one of the milestones that will deliver on our Digital Dublin Initiative. By June of this year Dublin will have a Digital Masterplan.  The aim of the plan is to develop Dublin as a world centre of digital excellence” said the Lord Mayor of Dublin.                                                

In launching Dublin Free WiFi the Lord Mayor has thrown down a challenge. “I am asking Dubliners to identify and suggest different uses which can be made of the availability of free wifi in terms of developing services, encouraging people connecting, and making the city more attractive.”

To mark the launch the public is invited to take part in Dublin Free WiFi Day from 11am to 5pm, at Barnardo’s Square.

Free WiFi is an initiative of Dublin City Council. It is provided, at no cost to the Council , by  GOWEX, a Spanish company that has provided similar services globally. The service is free and provides a download speed of 512Kbps and an upload speed of 128Kbps. Users also have the option to purchase a higher download speed of up to 6 Mbps if required. Once registered the user will have access to all Dublin city hotspots and other GOWEX networks in cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Malaga, Paris,  and Buenos Aires. To celebrate the launch of this initiative, Dublin Free WiFi will be upgraded from 512Kbps to 1Mbps for 2 months from today.

“We are very proud to be working in Dublin alongside the City Council to offer free WiFi to all Dubliners and to all visitors. We think that Dublin is the European technological capital and having free WiFi in its streets will be a new attractive aspect for the City” said Jenaro García, CEO at GOWEX. Thanks to this WiFi service, Dublin City Council is laying the foundations for the deployment of a Wireless Smart City, providing infrastructure for the future delivery of smart municipal services.

From Thursday the service will be available at the Civic Offices Amphitheatre, Wood Quay, St Patrick’s Park and Barnardo’s Square. The service will be rolled out over the coming weeks to other key city centre locations including Smithfield Square, Grafton Street, Henry Street, O’Connell Street and Temple Bar Square.

You can view the full set of “digidub” characters and find out where you can go digital at www.dublingowexfreewifi.ie

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