ESB’s Smart Energy Services supports delivery of Ireland’s first all-electric bus service in Athlone.
ESB’s Smart Energy Services is proud to be a key partner in Ireland’s first ever all-electric bus service
The service, which was launched in January 2023, includes investment in 11 new electric buses, and the full electrification of Bus Éireann’s Athlone depot.
We were responsible for the design and build of what is Ireland’s first ever fully electric bus depot. The project included a new depot yard which will allow for the charging of up to 18 Electric Vehicle (EV) buses simultaneously, a new electrical substation and a Dynamic Load Management System to optimise the energy usage on site. Within the garage, we also provided a 40 kW DC mobile charger to facilitate the charging of buses that are undergoing maintenance.
We were also responsible for the planned and reactive maintenance of the charging infrastructure ensuring that each bus is fully charged and ready for road at the start of each day.
The new EV Bus Éireann fleet will see the 11 state-of-the-art electric buses carry more than 11,000 passengers each week across a combined 540,000km per year. This will reduce CO2 emissions by over 400,000kg per year.
Launching the exciting new project, Ciaran Gallagher, Head of ESB’s Smart Services said:
“The ESB’s Smart Energy Services team is proud to have played a role in the delivery of this milestone project. We know that the electrification of our transport systems is critical to reducing carbon emissions and delivering on our commitment to a zero-carbon future”.
“We now look forward to playing our part in the rollout of similar EV projects across the country,” added Gallagher.
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To read more about ESB’s Smart Energy Services visit esb.ie/what-we-do/smart-energy-services
Funded by the Government of Ireland via the National Transport Authority (NTA), the electrification of Athlone’s bus service is part of the Irish Department of Transport’s Pathfinder programme, and part of the implementation of Ireland’s National Sustainable Mobility Policy, which sets out the Irish government’s plan to achieve a 50% reduction in transport sectoral emissions by 2030.