Minister Bruton announces nationwide high power charging network for electric cars

ESB ecars to roll out nationwide high power charging hubs

Government funds charging points to combat ‘range anxiety’

The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Bruton TD today (Friday April 5) 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 100km 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 vehicles.”

Jerry O’Sullivan, deputy chief executive of the 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 the ESB.

The ESB 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.