EV charging will have several providers

Buyers of electric vehicles will be able to pick their own electricity provider for public charging points by using a pre-paid smart card, writes Brian Byrne. This despite the fact that the charging infrastructure is being provided here by the ESB.

The cards will be refillable online from a variety of providers, and will be needed to unlock the charging points and monitor the recharging of the vehicle.

An eCars spokesman said the variety of providers will ensure competitive pricing for charging. The providers will in turn pay a fee to the Energy Regulator for the use of the infrastructure network.

The spokesman also said there would likely be a 'small' premium for public recharging, but the cost will always be kept at a 'fraction' of the cost of diesel or petrol power.

Owners will be able to monitor their cars' state of charge via smartphone or SMS text messaging.