EasyGo, the largest private car charging network in Ireland, have announced a multi-million Euro investment in new fast DC electric vehicle (EV) chargers in towns and villages around Ireland.
This investment is part of a partnership with eir, Ireland’s leading telecommunications company, where telephone kiosks are being removed and replaced with state-of-the-art Tritium electric vehicle chargers.
EasyGo, whose network is used by more than 30,000 drivers across 2,400 existing charge points, have committed to deploying 200 fast DC chargers around Ireland under this scheme.
Having launched this programme in Carlow in May 2022, EasyGo have contracts to add Tritium chargers at 70 locations in counties Offaly, Mayo, Cavan, Waterford, Kilkenny, Tipperary and Monaghan in the next phase of this project. These will be rolled out over the next six months.
EasyGo are actively engaged with other local authorities to identify 130 additional locations across Ireland for new fast DC Tritium chargers and this program will be delivered at zero cost to county councils.
Chris Kelly, founder and technical director of EasyGo said: “This rollout is consistent with the national strategy outlined by the Department of Transport and ZEVI. These chargers will make the transition to EVs in rural Ireland much easier and will be located in convenient town centre locations across the country.
“To support with the EV technology requirements for the rollout, EasyGo have partnered with Tritium, a global leader in DC fast chargers for electric vehicles and producer of some of the most advanced DC fast chargers in the world.”
According to the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), about one out of every seven cars sold in Ireland this year are fully electric, with the rate of adoption of EVs is growing quickly.
David Nicholl, Tritium CSO, said: “As an Irishman, I’m incredibly proud that Tritium has been selected as the exclusive technology partner for this project which will bolster Ireland’s transition to electric vehicles.
“With Tritium’s world-class fast chargers, electric vehicle drivers in Ireland will gain access to a fast and convenient charger designed to thrive in any environment. The efforts of EasyGo and eir will not only increase fast charger availability but also make a positive environmental impact.
“Firstly, by encouraging more drivers in Ireland to adopt electric vehicles, and secondly, by repurposing existing infrastructure to bring these chargers online. I look forward to experiencing these chargers first-hand as I travel with Chris and the EasyGo team as we roll out these chargers in towns across the country.”
Adding these chargers in easily accessible town centre locations will increase the appeal of EVs for drivers as it will reduce range anxiety. Transport accounts for one-third of Ireland’s energy-related CO2 emissions so increasing the adoption of EVs is a key aspect Ireland’s Climate Action Plan.
Oliver Loomes, eir CEO, said: “Electric vehicles are a critical part of the Government’s Climate Action Plan which sets out a target of almost one million electric vehicles on the road by 2030.
“In order for Ireland to move to greener electric vehicles, we must have the required infrastructure in place, not just in cities, but across all of Ireland. We are proud to partner with EasyGo and each of these county councils to assist in the installation of EV charging points across the country.
“This new infrastructure will benefit the community the way the public payphone service once did. The chargers will not only benefit the people living and working in Waterford, Tipperary, Kilkenny, Mayo, Offaly, Cavan and Monaghan, but also those travelling through.
“EasyGo and eir are in discussion with county councils across the country and we hope others will follow this lead. By replacing unused infrastructure with fast EV charging, we are helping to make the transition to electric vehicle ownership a viable alternative for people across Ireland.”
In rural areas, where public transport is far less available, it is even more important that people can go electric with confidence. That is why these partnerships across Ireland are so important to provide fast charging for both residents and visitors.
The EasyGo network is today used by more than 30,000 Irish EV drivers that can find, use and pay for charging at more than 2,400 charge-points on the EasyGo app.
EasyGo and eir are actively engaged with several local authorities around Ireland about this scheme and look forward to making further investment announcements in the coming weeks and months.
Under the program, eir telephone kiosks will be removed and replaced, at or near the location, with state-of-the-art Tritium 50kW modular fast chargers. Best of all, this is being done at zero cost to local authorities.
