ecars has, this morning, welcomed the announcement by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD and Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Richard Bruton TD, that ESB’s proposal for a national high power electric vehicle charging network in Ireland has passed the initial qualification stage for Climate Action Funding.
Since 2008, ESB ecars has been at the forefront of enabling electromobility, having built one of Europe’s first national Electric Vehicle infrastructures and associated operational supports. This original infrastructure is now almost 10 years old and needs to be expanded and upgraded to support the Government’s aim to de-carbonise transport in Ireland, particularly in light of the increasing adoption of EVs by Irish drivers.
Commenting on the announcement from Government Buildings this morning, Marguerite Sayers, Executive Director Customer Solutions at ESB, welcomed the funding as the most significant moment in the e-mobility story in Ireland since ESB got involved almost ten years ago. “Enabling the electrification of transport is a key part of ESB’s Brighter Future strategy to tackle climate change. We are committed to supporting the Government’s ambition to have over 500,000 electric vehicles on Irish roads by 2030. Critical to achieving this ambition will be the availability of a reliable, country-wide public charging network, that can facilitate the charging needs of significant numbers of electric vehicles, eliminate ‘range anxiety’ and enable seamless EV travel across the island of Ireland.”
Ms Sayers also outlined ESB’s Climate Action Fund proposal for a high power charging network across Ireland. “Our proposal is to install over one hundred high powered (150kW) chargers at key locations on the national road network. These chargers which will typically provide an additional driving range of 100km in six minutes. In addition, subject to planning permission and approval, we intend to replace one hundred 50kW fast chargers which can recharge a car to 80 per cent in 25 minutes and to also refurbish up to 200 standard (22kW) chargers. We look forward to working with the Department on the next phase of the funding assessment.”