Electric car chargers spark into life

The country’s first electric vehicle (EV) charging stations or “juice points” have gone live in Dublin.

The four on-street charging posts are the first of a nationwide programme that will see 1,500 installed across the country over the next two years.

The latest additions to the State’s motoring infrastructure are located at parking spaces in the city centre: two outside the ESB headquarters in Fitzwilliam Street, one outside the The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on Adelaide Road and another outside the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland in Wilton Place.

By the end of June, a further 12 will be installed at locations in Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown, Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Portlaoise, the ESB said today.

The company plans to build 3,500 charge points by the end of 2011 – a total of 2,000 domestic units, which can be charged through the mains, and 1,500 kerbside units.

Electric vehicle drivers have to register to acquire a personalised electric fob to allow them access the public charge points, but recharging will be free for the initial phase of the project. It takes up to two hours for an 80 per cent recharge on most EVs, and between six and eight hours for a full recharge.

At today’s launch, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan said just over a year ago, the Government announced its intention that 10 per cent of the Irish motoring fleet will be electric by 2020.

“We have seen great progress since then. Ireland will be among the first in the world with this kind of nationwide infrastructure. It’s bold, ambitious and will show Ireland as a global leader in the green economy,” he said.

ESB chief executive Padraig McManus said the company’s strategy of decarbonising it electricity generation by 2035 will allow for the development of a decarbonised national transport system.

Under the company’s plan, Dublin city and county will have 500 charge points by 2012, Cork (135), Limerick (45), Galway (45) and Wateford (45).

The remaining points will be located across the country, at least one in every town with a population of 1,500. There will also be 30 rapid charges, which can charge vehicles in 20 minutes, located along all major routes, at intervals of 60 kilometres, nine of which will be installed by the end of this year.

Electric cars are significantly cheaper to operate than their fossil fuel counterparts, costing an estimated three cent a mile to operate compared to 15 cent for a conventional vehicle. The ESB have not yet settled on a recharging price, but it is expected to be markedly cheaper than petrol or diesel.