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The ESB is embarking on a major, and much-needed, upgrade of its electric vehicle (EV) charging network.
To begin with, eight of the ESB e-Car chargers located at Circle K service stations are to be upgraded to the CCS fast-charging system, which is compatible with the latest electric cars from Volkswagen, BMW, Audi, Kia and Hyundai. Those service stations include Sexton Street North, Thomondgate, Limerick City, County Limerick; Airport Road, Tullyvaragh, Shannon, County Clare; Castlemaine Street (Dublin Road), Athlone, County Westmeath; Newlands Cross, Fonthill Road (R113), Clondalkin, Dublin 22; Promenade Road, Dublin Port, Dublin 1; Finglas Road, Glasnevin, Dublin 11; Templeville Road, Dublin 6; and Frankfield Service Station, Frankfield Road, Douglas, County Cork.
Outlining the importance of the upgrade programme to EV drivers and the wider electrification of transport ambition, Marguerite Sayers, Executive Director, Customer Solutions, ESB, said: "A key element of ESB's Strategy for a Brighter Future is to enable the electrification of transport to help tackle climate change. To improve the drivers' experience and to encourage further adoption of EVs, this ongoing upgrade and replacement work of our network, starting with our fast chargers, is critical.
"Since the beginning of this year we've replaced many of the oldest fast chargers across the country. We'll continue to work with EV drivers and stakeholders as we move to the next phase of introducing payment for fast charging, which will help fund ongoing investment in Ireland's EV charging network."
Speaking about the charge points at its service stations, Gordon Lawlor, Fuels Director at Circle K Ireland, said: "We're delighted to be able to offer our customers these new fast chargers for electric vehicles across a range of our service stations nationwide. With purchases of electric vehicles growing steadily, it's very important for us to be able to meet the increasing demand for charge points; partnering with ESB was the perfect way for us to do this. Working with them to deliver these new multi-standard fast charging points to Circle K forecourts across the country, allows us to continue to deliver the highest quality services to our loyal customers."
Nine other fast-charge points are being upgraded, including Barack Obama Plaza, Moneygall, County Offaly; Randles Nissan, Muckross Road, Killarney, County Kerry; Four Lakes Retail Park, Dublin Road, Carlow Town, County Carlow; Emo Service Station, M9 Junction 10 , Main Street, Knocktopher, County Kilkenny; Londis, Sligo Road, Grange, County Sligo; Amber Centra Service Station, Rosslare Road, Killinick, County Wexford; Abbey Court Hotel, Nenagh, County Tipperary; Drinagh Motors, Rosslare Road, Drinagh, County Wexford; and Tobin's Port Road, Letterkenny, County Donegal.
With the existing charging network already approaching ten years old, the ESB has been widely criticised for not upgrading charging points before now. Many EV owners have been disgruntled at the poor reliability of charging points, some of which is down to the fact that the equipment is obsolete and difficult to find spare parts for.
The ESB appears to have been, in part, stung into action by the arrival of the first privately-owned public charging network in Ireland (unless you count Tesla, which of course is only capable of charging one brand of vehicle). EasyGo, an Irish company which up to now has focused on providing charging points for private and corporate customers, is set to reveal its plans for a nationwide public fast-charging network next week.