NEW-CAR sales are still storming ahead of last year -- which was, of course, a disaster. The Motorcheck.ie figures show that sales have now hit 48,667 -- up 45pc on the 33,453 sold over the same period last year.

The Nissan Leaf, exterior , is due on the Irish market next year and the ESB is already ahead of the game after rolling out the first recharging pumps last month. AND so, like the flick of a light switch, we have the electric car era.