The ESB has announced that it has installed new high-speed electric car chargers at the existing High-Power Charging Hub in Portlaoise Plaza.
Up to eight cars charging at once
The installation of three new 200kW chargers brings the total number of high-speed chargers on that site to four, all capable of adding as much as 100km of extra range in just six minutes. Each charger has two connections, so eight cars can charge at the same time (although, of course, two cars on one charger means each is only getting 100kW of charge at best).
The Portlaoise site is just off the main M7 motorway, and ESB reckons that having the chargers in place just in time for the National Ploughing Championships, which are being held in nearby Ratheniska, will be of no small help to any EV owners looking to visit the event.
National Ploughing Championships
The extra chargers in Portlaoise come at the same time as the opening of a new charging hub in Killester in Dublin. ESB is also pointing out that it has recently cut the cost of using its chargers by between eight and 13 per cent while also adding contactless payment technology.
Welcoming this announcement, 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.”
The way of the future
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.”.