Funding from the EU of €2.1 million will help provide 50 percent funding for a major cross-border project to help develop the network of electric vehicle (EV) fast charging infrastructure in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, writes Trish Whelan. The funding has been secured under the EU Trans-European Transport Network.
It will allow an extra 46 fast-charge-points to be installed, 41 in the Republic and five in Northern Ireland, along key inter-urban routes as well as transport hubs such as airports and ports.
ESB is currently rolling out an electric vehicle charging infrastructure across Ireland. At present, there are 1,000 installed charge-points covering every county and 90 percent of big cities and towns. Fast charging allows drivers to extend the range of their electric vehicle by up to 130km in 20-25 minutes, so will facilitate longer distances, inter-urban travel, and reduce any 'range anxiety'.
ESB ecars will ask the public and EV drivers to gauge their views on fast charging and collect usage data.
Vice President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Transport, Siim Kallas with Dermot McArdle, Manager of ESB ecars are pictured above at the announcement in Brussels of the funding to expand the electric vehicle fast charging network across Ireland.
