A number of high powered chargers are set to be rolled out nationally across the ESB ecars network as part of a €20 million investment.

Environment Minister Richard Bruton announced the investment today, 05 April, declaring funds for more than 50 high power charging hubs and national road sites.

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."

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.

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Under the new funding package, 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.

Jerry O'Sullivan, Deputy Chief Executive of ESB, commented: "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 ESB.

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.

A provisional map of the planned network is set to be published later today.

(CM/JG)