ESB's proposal for a national high power electric vehicle charging network in Ireland has secured support from the Climate Action Fund.

The proposal passed the initial qualification phase for funding, as announced by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD and Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Richard Bruton TD this morning, 28 November.

ESB's original EV infrastructure is now almost 10 years old and needs to be expanded and upgraded to support the Government's aim to de-carbonise transport in Ireland.

ESB proposes to install over one hundred high powered (150kW) chargers at key locations on the national road network. These chargers which will typically provide an additional driving range of 100km in six minutes. In addition, subject to planning permission and approval, they intend to replace one hundred 50kW fast chargers which can recharge a car to 80 per cent in 25 minutes and to also refurbish up to 200 standard (22kW) chargers.

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Commenting on the announcement, Marguerite Sayers, Executive Director Customer Solutions at ESB, said: "Enabling the electrification of transport is a key part of ESB's Brighter Future strategy to tackle climate change. We are committed to supporting the Government's ambition to have over 500,000 electric vehicles on Irish roads by 2030. Critical to achieving this ambition will be the availability of a reliable, country-wide public charging network, that can facilitate the charging needs of significant numbers of electric vehicles, eliminate 'range anxiety' and enable seamless EV travel across the island of Ireland."

(CM)