New EV strategy to expand electric vehicle charging points in Cork and Kerry

Cork and Kerry councils launch public consultation to shape regional EV charging strategy for rural and tourist-heavy areas

Cork and Kerry County Councils launched a joint public consultation process over the weekend seeking public input into the potential location and type of EV charging points that need to be installed over the coming years, in a bid to facilitate the move of more people to EVs.

The local authorities in Cork county and Kerry have teamed up to plan the delivery of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across the south-west.

Cork and Kerry County Councils launched a joint public consultation process over the weekend seeking public input into the potential location and type of EV charging points that need to be installed in both counties over the coming years, in a bid to facilitate the move of more people to EVs.

The regional strategy is required as part of a national plan for the delivery of four main EV charging categories — home/apartment charging, residential neighbourhood charging, destination charging, and motorway/en-route charging.

Cork City Council adopted an EV strategy last year that focuses a lot on home/apartment and residential neighbourhood charging, given the mainly urban nature of the area within its jurisdiction.

But given the largely rural nature of the counties of Cork and Kerry, people in the southwest have been asked to consider destination charging, which involves installing charging stations at popular destinations such as shopping centres, hotels, and tourist attractions, and neighbourhood charging, for the county towns, which focuses on providing charging options in residential areas.

The two local authorities say public input into the strategy is vital to help shape the future of EV infrastructure in the area, but they have stressed that this is only a strategy — that the actual installation of EV chargers will come later.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Joe Carroll, said the strategy will be the first step in developing a network of EV charging stations across both counties.

“This new strategy is intended to support the growing number of EVs on our roads. It is vital that all areas are adequately served and that the chargers can be used by local communities, businesses and the tourists who visit the south-west region,” he said.

Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Breandán Fitzgerald, said the new charging network will support the growing number of EVs on our roads.

“The goal of the Cork and Kerry EV Infrastructure Charging Strategy is to establish the principles that will guide the rollout of this infrastructure across the region,” he said.

The Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan published by Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland earlier this year sets out minimum charging capacity requirements for local authorities in their own geographical area.

On-route charging along national roads and travel routes is being supported separately by Transport Infrastructure Ireland.

The public consultation for the south-west is open until 4pm on June 30 at www.southwestevstrategy.com