• Pay for use for High Power (150kW) chargers to be introduced from 1st December 2020
• PAYG to benefit from three-month introductory rate
• Members to save 16% vs diesel*

17th November 2020:

To ensure we are ready to support more electric vehicles on our roads, ESB is investing in and upgrading its public charging network across Ireland. As part of this, over 50 high power charging hubs will be rolled out on motorway and national road sites.

The first four ESB high power chargers have been installed in Kilcullen (M9), Portlaoise Plaza** (M7/M8), Galway Plaza (M6) and Kells (M3). To give customers a chance to try out the new technology, these chargers have been free to use since their installation. Today ESB is announcing the pay for use details for high power (150kW) chargers which will be introduced from 1st December 2020.

The original pricing scheme has been maintained; there are two price plans available for EV drivers - Pay As You Go or Membership:

• Membership is €4.60 per month and provides a reduced rate of 33c per kWh for use of high power (150kW) chargers.
• Pay As You Go customers will avail of a three month introductory rate of 34.5c per kWh for use of the high power (150kW) chargers. From March 1st the PAYG rate will be 37c per kWh.

What does this mean for the average EV driver?
To drive 100km it will cost*:

Most EV drivers will charge their car at home or in work. We estimate that public charging will account for approximately 15% of charging.  Taking Electric Ireland’s night rate for a 100km drive (85% of charge at home and 15% on the ESB public charging network), it costs*:   

Assumptions for Calculations:

• 2019 Ford Focus Diesel consumption is 4.90L per 100km
• Diesel price: €1.185 – AA Roadwatch October 2020 diesel price average.
• 40kWh Nissan Leaf range: up to 270 kms (WLTP)
• AC, Fast, HP: Membership: 23c, 26.8c, 33c PAYG price: 26.8c, 30.5c, 34.5c
• Electric Ireland night rate €0.1012 inclusive of VAT (Aug 2020)
• Rounded to the nearest %
  
  

The electrification of transport is a key component of ESB’s low carbon strategy for a brighter future.  The €20m investment in EV infrastructure is 50% financed by the Government’s Climate Action Fund with the remainder funded by ESB.

There are three tiers of high power charging hubs – tier one consisting of four high power chargers allowing up to eight electric vehicles at any one time; tier two consisting of two high power chargers allowing up to four electric vehicles at any one time; and tier three consisting of one high power charger and one fast charger allowing up to three electric vehicles charge at any one time.  The high-power charging hubs, which can charge between three and eight vehicles simultaneously, are dramatically faster than current charging infrastructure and are capable of providing a 100km range to electric vehicles drivers in as little as six minutes. 

ESB is currently assessing suitable sites on motorways and national road networks, to deliver high power charging hubs. Site locations are based on a range of factors including current charge point usage, traffic volume, accessibility and amenities.

**Due to a temporary load restriction at Portlaoise Plaza, the high power charger is limited to 50kW at present. The pay for use rate on this charger will be at the lower standard charger rate of 23c/kWh for Members and 26.8c/kWh for PAYG. The pay for use rate will change to fall in line with the other high power chargers once the full 150kW load is made available in the coming weeks.

See below some answers to questions you might have:

When will pay for use for high power chargers be introduced?

Pay for use for high power (150kW) chargers will be introduced from 1st December.

Do I need to do anything to sign up to use the high power chargers?

If you have already signed up to use the public network, you do not need to do so again, you just pay for the use of the high power chargers in the same way as you do for the standard and fast chargers.

If you have not signed up, we would encourage you to do so via esb.ie/ecars or via the ecar connect app. If you do not want to sign up to an account, a one-off charge is possible using the app or website.

What is the timeline for the rollout of these hubs?

The first four ESB hubs consisting of a high power charger (150kW) and fast charger (50kW) have been installed in Kilcullen (M9), Portlaoise Plaza (M7/M8), Galway Plaza (M6) and Kells (M3). The first eight bay high power hub will be located at Mayfield, on the M7 at Monasterevin. Construction of the hub is due to commence in Q4/20. The roll out of all high power sites will continue over the next two years.

Is there an overstay charge for using the high power (150kW) chargers?

 ESB is initially introducing an overstay fee of €4.60 after 45 minutes on high power chargers. We will continue to monitor consumer behaviour and may look to make changes to the fee in the future.

How did ESB set the price?

 A comprehensive price review was carried out across the UK and Europe. We also conducted extensive consumer research with key stakeholders and EV drivers on the introduction of fees and their feedback was incorporated into the pricing strategy.

Why is the price higher than the unit price of my home electricity?

The price includes the cost of the technology itself, its installation costs, the cost of electricity, management and maintenance of the network, access to a 24/7 customer care phone line, supporting I.T. systems to allow remote monitoring of the network and the ecar connect app with improved functionality. In addition, it allows us to further invest in the public charge point network.