Plans to establish hundreds of car-share and bike-share hubs

Development is to begin in three cities next year on bike- and car-sharing hubs. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

The Government is planning to establish hundreds of car- and bike-sharing hubs across the country, with development to begin in three cities next year.

Environment Minister Eamon Ryan confirmed he is bringing forward proposals on so-called ‘Mobility Hubs’, which would be used for car sharing, bike sharing, as well as electric vehicle charging.

Mr Ryan said that the Government has plans to develop 200 mobility hubs by 2027 at a cost of €40m, which will be drawn down from the Government’s climate fund.

Putting in these mobility hubs will allow a lot of people living in the city, living in our suburbs to have access to a car-sharing and e-bike-sharing and charging scheme.

Mr Ryan said the business case will be concluded in the next two to three weeks.

CLIMATE & SUSTAINABILITY HUB

The three pilot cities for the project are yet to be determined, with the hubs set to be of different sizes and use depending on their location and the needs of the local community.

“We haven’t picked the final three cities yet. We just think it’s better to concentrate, test, get it right. 

Eamon Ryan said the plan would be led by local authorities. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

"The business case isn’t finally concluded yet but it will be in the next two or three weeks,” Mr Ryan said.

He said the plan would be led by local authorities across the country.

The scheme was first piloted in Blanchardstown and is being run by Fingal County Council, with between four and five cars available to be shared alongside eight to 10 bikes.

The minister said the key challenge with the mobility hubs is ensuring there is a good electric-vehicle-charging infrastructure built in alongside it.

Asked if people would be permitted to charge their own electric vehicles at the hubs, Mr Ryan said that it would only be for shared cars.

He added that he believes the plan will be a "game-changer", citing the expense of cars.

The minister also said sales of electric vehicles are increasing significantly, with 110,000 EVs set to be on the road by the end of 2023.

He said that Ireland will exceed its overall 195,000 target of EVs on the road by the end of 2025.