The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, has launched the details of a joint project between ESB and IBM to build and implement a cloud based electric vehicle (EV) IT platform.

This project will facilitate electric vehicle users with an integrated and seamless user experience when plugging into charging-points anywhere in Ireland.

With close to 1,000 charge-points installed in Ireland, ESB Networks is on track to deliver one of the biggest, integrated and operational electric vehicle’s infrastructure initiatives in Europe. This EV IT project will provide the services needed to operate, manage and maintain the network of charge-points installed by ESB Networks in a secure and reliable manner.

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Minister Bruton TD said: "Green energy and cloud computing are key sectors being targeted by the Government as part of our Action Plan for Jobs. This innovative partnership between an Irish energy company and a global IT leader puts Ireland at the forefront of global developments in the electric vehicle sector by using cutting edge cloud technologies, and represents a clear demonstration of what is possible in this area. Ireland will now be the first country globally to put in place this system on a national basis, and I am determined to ensure that through continued implementation of our plan we will see further examples of leadership in these areas."

The IBM Intelligent Electric Vehicle (EV) Enablement Platform is a cloud delivered service which adds a layer of intelligence and convenience to the electric vehicle recharging process, and Ireland is the first country to implement such an integrated platform. This new system will accommodate the needs of all ecar owners, enabling them to recharge anywhere at any time regardless of their electricity supplier. Ecar owners will be able to plug and recharge using an identification card which will also support an online payment process. The smart recharging capability also gives consumers the option to use a mobile device to locate the nearest charge point, check its availability, and make a reservation for it.

(CD/GK)