The eMotion partnership brings together 42 European "partners" from car manufacturers, energy utilities, universities, and technology and research institutions. From Ireland, ESB (the Electricity Supply Board), Trinity College Dublin (TCD), Codema and Cork City Council will receive €1.5 million in funding out of a total budget of €24 million.
TCD's Professor of Civil Engineering Margaret O'Mahony said the research: "will answer key questions about battery range, how people use and charge electric vehicles, the potential impact of increasing numbers of electric vehicles in Ireland and the impact on the environment".
The four-strong Irish consortium will also look at developing electric vehicle charging networks, standardisation, fleet management of electric vehicles and constructing charging points - including trialling advanced charging points in Ireland. The ultimate aim is to create a practical infrastructure for electric car users.
ESB Chief Executive, Padraig McManus, said: "The aim of this project is to bring together the best technologies and academic research in order to develop a sustainable transport system that finds acceptance among the driving public. It is an integrated European approach to deploy electric transport, including vehicles, infrastructure, grid, IT applications and user acceptance."
Dublin city emits five million tonnes of CO2 a year, but it is hoped eMotion's sustainable transport methods could reduce this by 140 kilo-tonnes with net cost savings of up to €27 million.