- New eight-bay charging hub is capable of providing 100km of charge in as little as six minutes
- The chargers are powered by 100% renewable electricity
8 August 2023
ESB has today launched its new High Power (200kW) EV charging hub at the Barack Obama Plaza motorway service in Co Tipperary that will enable eight EVs to charge simultaneously using 100% renewable energy. The new charging facility is capable of providing 100km of charge in as little as six minutes.
The charging bay, which is located at a critical juncture in Ireland’s road network on Junction 23, just off the M7 Motorway at Barack Obama Plaza, will be a game-changer for EV drivers, particularly those travelling long distances in the midlands and Munster region.
The announcement marks a significant milestone in ESB’s €20m investment in all-island EV infrastructure, which is a key part of ESB’s sustainability strategy and commitment to reaching net-zero by 2040.
With this €20m investment programme, which is partially funded by the Government’s Climate Action Fund, ESB aims to deliver 50 High-Power hubs across the country as part of its national EV network strategy. Since the Climate Action Fund was allocated, the funding has allowed ESB to install 28 high power sites nationwide, replace almost all of the standard 22kW chargers with newer technology, and upgrade 42 chargers to faster speeds.
Among these projects was the launch of a similar High Power Hub in Junction 14 in 2021. Since its launch, the chargers have enabled more than 60,000 charges monthly – a number that is expected to increase considerably in the coming years as the number of EVs on our roads increase.
This innovative charging hub will also play a key role in helping to meet Ireland’s ambitious transport targets as laid out in the Climate Action Plan.
Speaking at the launch, John Byrne, Head of ESB ecars said:
“We are so pleased to be launching our new high power charging infrastructure today at Barack Obama Plaza. With several thousand visitors daily, this location will be of critical importance to ensuring that drivers in the region feel empowered to make the electric transition.”
“EVs are the fasting growing segment in the Irish car market, and at ESB, we are committed to ensuring that the public charging network is there for drivers when they need it. Today’s launch is just the next step of our plan which will see the remaining 28 high power sites at various stages of planning or build over the coming months.” John added.
Welcoming the new chargers, Supermacs founder and owner Pat McDonagh said:
“At Supermac’s, we have identified and prioritised opportunities to promote environmentally friendly activity as part of our ongoing Glan & Glas initiative. Electric vehicles are becoming an increasing presence on our forecourts at The Plaza Group and The Barack Obama Plaza is now one of the country’s largest e-charging sites. This is certainly way of the future, and we are delighted to be a part of it.”
Matthew Sealy, Chairperson of the Irish EV Association also welcomed the new hubs:
“It’s great to see the increasing number of EVs on Irish roads in recent times, and fantastic to see the rapidly expanding network of charging hubs across the country, which will encourage even more people to make the switch. This new charging hub will be of huge importance to local EV drivers, commuters, and tourists, giving them even more flexibility on their journeys."
ENDS
Notes:
The new hub includes four High Power Chargers (200kW), enabling eight vehicles to charge at one time. The chargers are capable of providing 100km worth of charge in just six minutes, via 100% renewably sourced electricity.
With a 600 kVA power connection, the charging hub has the equivalent power capacity of one year’s electricity supply to 1000 Irish homes, based on typical consumption data reported by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU).