ESB has upgraded its existing High-Power Charging Hub in Portlaoise Plaza.

The hub now has four 200kW High-Power chargers which can charge eight EVs simultaneously, providing 100km of charge in as little as six minutes.

Situated just off the M7, these chargers ensure easy access while eliminating concerns faced when searching for charging stations. For EV drivers attending the upcoming National Ploughing Championships, the charging hub is a short drive away, equipped with High Power charging technology, ensuring drivers can quickly charge their EVs, minimising their wait time and maximising convenience for their onward journey.

In recent weeks, ESB has also opened an additional charging hub in Killester Co. Dublin. In June, ESB announced a planned price decrease across its public EV charging network in the Republic of Ireland which saw unit rates for High-Power (200kW) chargers reduce by 13%, Fast chargers reduce by 12% and Standard chargers reduce by 8%. Contactless payment was also introduced on our High-Power Chargers from June making the charging experience as seamless as possible for drivers.

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John Byrne, Head of eMobility at ESB,  said: "ESB is delighted to introduce four brand new High Power EV chargers to Portlaoise Plaza which is a key milestone in enhancing availability and accessibility of the public charging infrastructure in the Portlaoise region and beyond. It is a significant step forward in ensuring convenient, quick and easy charging for all to ensure Ireland can meet its climate reduction targets.

"Earlier in the year ESB reduced EV charging prices and introduced contactless payments showcasing our steadfast focus to consistently look at new ways we can make the public charging experience more resilient for our valued customers."

Pat McDonagh, owner of the Plaza Group and the Portlaoise Plaza said that EV chargers were becoming an increasing presence on forecourts. "We have expanded our EV charge points over the past year with the Portlaoise Plaza now bringing to over 40 the amount of High-Power charge points we have throughout the Plaza Group. We are the largest independent group with High-Power charge points and this is certainly the way of the future. We are delighted to be a part of it with ESB," he said.

To date, ESB has installed 44 multi-vehicle, high-power charging hubs nationwide over the past two years and replaced over 300 chargers to increase the speed and capacity of the charging network. In 2023, partially funded by the Government’s Climate Action Fund, they doubled their number of high-power chargers. ESB now has over 1,600 public charge points in place across the country with an average reliability rate of 98%.