Council quizzed over electric car chargers

The council says it is waiting on utility provider ESB to provide a roadmap of where and when charging infrastructure will be put in place to deal with the increased demand for electric cars.

“There is a gap in Kingscourt and other towns as well,” Director of Services Paddy Connaughton told the November monthly meeting of councillors on foot of a question posed by Fianna Fáil’s Clifford Kelly.

Cllr Kelly had said EV motorists drive into town “thinking there is one” but then have to get the local garage to open in order to access the charging point.

“I know the executive are working on this, but we need to get moving on it,” he said.

There are eight charge sites in Cavan at present - three in Cavan Town, two in Bailiebrough, and one each in Ballyconnell, Ballyjamesduff and Cootehill.

€10 million was committed from the Climate Action Fund to support ESB investment in the charging network with a further €10 from ESB in order to expand charging point infrastructure by the end of 2022.

This intervention was to result in 90 additional high power chargers, each capable of charging two vehicles. According to the latest figures, close to two dozen chargers have been distributed across 14 multi-vehicle hubs as part of the programme to date.

Work on 50 plus fast chargers, to replace existing standard chargers, has been completed at close to 40 locations.

Finally, work has concluded on upgrading standard chargers with more modern technology, each consisting of two charge points.