The initiative will facilitate the take-up of electric vehicles and will also help Ireland in meeting its international obligations in relation to reducing greenhouse emissions.
The funding has been secured under the EU Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). Details of the €2.1 million funding were announced at the European Commission event "TEN-T Day 2012" in Brussels with Vice President and Commissioner for Transport, Siim Kallas.
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar said: "This is a welcome announcement for the ESB and for Ireland. The eCars project has been granted over €2m funding from the EU’s Trans-European Transport Network programme to further develop charge points right across Ireland. The Commission's proposal for a successor programme is currently under negotiation in the EU and will be a key priority for me during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council next year. The funding will allow an extra 46 fast charge-points to be installed, 41 in the Republic and five in Northern Ireland."
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During the project, which runs until September 2014, a total of 46 EV fast charge-points will be installed along the key inter-urban routes as well as transport hubs such as airports and ports across the island of Ireland. Forty one fast chargers will be deployed in the Republic of Ireland and five in Northern Ireland, building on the network of fast chargers already installed.
ESB is currently rolling out an electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across Ireland. At present there are 1,000 installed charge-points covering every county and 90% of big cities and towns. Fast charging allows drivers to extend the range of their electric vehicle by up to 130km in 20-25 minutes. It will facilitate longer distance, inter-urban travel, and reduce any 'range anxiety'.
The funding will also contribute towards the development of IT systems to support the fast charging infrastructure network and will facilitate cross-border roaming and payment for electricity.
(CD/GK)
