Pricing for standard network charging points comes into effect from 10th August 2020
To support further investment and its continued commitment to upgrading Ireland’s electric vehicle (EV) public charging network, ESB ecars has today announced that the introduction of pricing for its standard (up to 22kW AC) network will come into effect from 10th August.
The announcement comes following the introduction of pricing for fast public chargers (50kW) in November 2019. At that time, it was indicated that pay for use would be extended to the entire network following further investment by ESB ecars and with that improved ‘uptimes.’ Since then, over 150 standard chargers have been replaced in 26 counties throughout the country bringing the uptime to 96%, with even higher uptimes (99%) on the fast (>44kW) charging network.
The upgrades are part of an overall €20m investment in renewing and expanding Ireland’s electric vehicle (EV) public charging network by ESB ecars, supported by the Irish Government’s Climate Action Fund.
The introduction of pricing will support ongoing upgrades to ensure that the network continues to operate at a high standard for an ever-increasing number of EV owners.
The original pricing scheme has been maintained; there are two price plans available for the EV drivers - Pay As You Go or Membership:
- Pay As You Go is charged at 26.8c per kWh
- Membership is a €4.60 monthly subscription fee and a reduced charge of 23c per kWh
Since launching its sign up service, ESB ecars have achieved over 11,000 sign ups. Membership offers lower per kWh rates along with a monthly subscription and is recommended for those that use the network five times per month or more.
Niall Hogan, Head of ESB ecars, commented on the announcement: "We all know that climate action is a priority for all of us and that electric vehicles play a key role in the move to clean, low-carbon transport. That’s why ESB is committing €20M to upgrading and expanding the public charging network for EVs and why we’ve introduced pricing on a phased basis to support that investment in clean transport.
Drivers are already seeing the benefits of this investment with significant improvements in the reliability of the national network. We will continue to invest in a brighter future for drivers by supporting the change to cleaner transport using EVs."
The electrification of transport is a key component of ESB’s low-carbon strategy for a Brighter Future. The environmental benefits of the move to EVs is complimented by cost savings for consumers with ESB estimating savings of 35% on a 100km journey for ESB ecars members or those on the introductory offer as opposed to travelling in a 1.5l diesel car**.
The €20m investment is 50% financed by the Government’s Climate Action Fund with the remainder funded by ESB.
Notes:
The public charging network in the Republic of Ireland has been free to use since its introduction in 2010.
*‘Uptime’ or availability is the measure of working chargers on the network.
**Pricing scheme for public EV charging infrastructure
Under the new pricing scheme, there will be two price plans available for the standard chargers in operation through a:
Pay As You Go option
- Charged at 26.8c per kWh
An ongoing membership subscription (recommended for those using the network over five times per month)
- Charged at 23c per kWh and a €4.60 monthly subscription.
- For EV drivers who signed up to the Introductory offer before Christmas, they will pay 23c per kWh.
*To drive 100km, it will typically cost:
*Most electric vehicle drivers charge their car at home or in work and use the public network to top up for 15% of their charges. Taking a 100km drive (85% night rate home charge and 15% public fast charge) will typically cost:
*Assumptions for Calculations:
2019 Ford Focus Diesel consumption is 4.90 per 100km
Diesel price €1.15.5 (€1.16) – AA Road watch May 2020
Electric Ireland night rate €0.1012
40kWh Nissan Leaf range - 270 km (WLTP)
Rounded to nearest %