Press release
Minister Bruton Announces Nationwide High Power Charging Network for Electric Cars
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Bruton T.D. today (Friday the 5th of April) announced that €20m is being invested to fund the rollout of high powered chargers across ESB ecars network. A provisional map of the planned network is being published today.
Making the announcement, Minister Bruton said, "We are funding high powered charging hubs on motorways and national roads all across the country, to tackle 'range anxiety' and encourage drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles. We are stepping up our response to climate change across the board and this government is determined to take the lead and put in place the necessary infrastructure to make it easier for people to play their part."
More than 50 high power charging hubs are being funded on motorway and national road sites. These hubs will be able to charge between two and eight vehicles simultaneously and are capable of providing up to 100 km of electric driving range in as little as six minutes.
In addition to the high power charging hubs, up to 50 locations will also see Standard 22kW AC chargers upgraded to 50kW DC fast chargers, providing additional fast charging capacity around the country.
This network will be able to facilitate the public charging requirements of hundreds of thousands of vehicles.
Minister Bruton said, "This investment gives people confidence that they can make the switch. Now is the time. As well as providing a network of chargers, the government also offer a number of financial supports to those thinking of changing their vehicle."
Jerry O'Sullivan, Deputy Chief Executive of ESB, said, "A key part of our Brighter Future strategy is enabling the electrification of transport, with this investment and support from the Government's Climate Action Fund critical to encouraging people to make the transition to EVs. Over the last nine years we have developed and maintained a comprehensive EV charging network and the availability of the high power charging hubs will help eliminate 'range anxiety' and enables seamless EV travel across the island of Ireland. This, in turn, will support the Government's ambition to have more than 500,000 EVs on Irish roads by 2030."
This initiative is 50% financed by the Government's Climate Action Fund with the remainder funded by ESBESB ecars is currently identifying the most appropriate locations on motorways and national road networks. The sites will be identified using the latest software mapping techniques, taking account of information on current charge point usage, traffic volume, accessibility, amenities and grid capacity at the sites.
Notes to Editor
This ESB project is one of seven projects approved by Minister Bruton for funding under the Climate Action Fund. Final approval of funding from the Climate Action Fund is subject to successful completion of the validation stage which is currently underway.
In addition to the public changing network, the Government provides the following incentives to support the uptake of electric vehicles:
- purchase grant of up to €5,000 for electric vehicles (including battery electric vehicles and for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles)
- Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) relief of up to €5,000 for battery electric vehicles and up to €2,500 for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles
- Benefit-in-Kind relief for battery electric vehicles (up to a maximum value of €50,000)
- a grant of up to €600 towards the cost of the installation of a domestic charge point for purchasers of new and second-hand electric vehicles
- grants of up to €7,000 for electric vehicles in the taxi/hackney/limousine sector
- accelerated Capital Allowances for businesses to support investment in electric vehicles and charging infrastructure
- low rate of annual motor tax (€120 per annum) for battery electric vehicles
- a discount on tolls of 50% for battery electric vehicles and 25% for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles up to a maximum amount of €500 per year (with greater reductions off-peak on the M50)
About ESB ecars:
ESB ecars was established in 2010 by ESB to roll out the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles across Ireland and to support the introduction and demand for electric vehicles nationally.
ESB ecars operates and maintains 1,100 public charge points across the island of Ireland. These are available for electric vehicle (EV) drivers to re-charge their vehicles and enable longer journeys across the country.
About ESB:
ESB operates across the electricity market: from generation, through transmission and distribution to the supply of customers with an expanding presence in the Great Britain generation market. In addition we extract further value through supplying gas, energy services and using our networks to carry fibre for telecommunications. ESB is the owner of the distribution and transmission networks in the Republic of Ireland (via ESB Networks) and Northern Ireland (via Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Ltd).
ESB contributes almost €2 billion annually to the Irish economy through dividends, investments, taxes and jobs. ESB provides significant employment both directly, with over 7,800 employees, and indirectly through contractors and service providers.
