'Apartment blocks can help Ireland reach carbon emissions deadline'

Rolling out EV infrastructure in apartment complexes could make a real contribution to the effort to meet the 2030 deadline, writes Ivan O’Connor

Apartment complexes represent an excellent opportunity to roll out EV infrastructure. File picture

Over half a million people live in apartments in Ireland. Given almost six in ten people drive to work, it’s reasonable to estimate thousands of these residents have access to a private car.

As this country moves ever closer to its 2030 carbon emissions deadline, apartment complexes can offer an excellent opportunity to roll out EV infrastructure that could make a real contribution to the effort in concentrated areas. 

Sales of domestic chargers in Munster alone have increased year on year by 14% from March 2023/March 2024- March 2024/March 2025 (in Cork, 16.6%; Kerry, 34%; Limerick, 8.6%; and Waterford, 36%) at ePower, where I’m employed.

We have installed and are servicing successful charging facilities at many mixed-use housing and apartment complexes. Unfortunately, there are many other locations where facilities are not up to scratch or non-existent, to the point where people feel penalised for having EVs. An added complication is that while there are EV infrastructure provisions in place for new apartment developments, there is no equivalent for existing complexes.

Ivan O'Connor, ePower. Picture: Miki Barlok

The problems posed by a lack of proper infrastructure in these existing complexes arise on a number of fronts. Historically, a couple of communal chargers at multi-unit dwellings were often sufficient to meet demand, but with SIMI figures showing a 20% jump in EV sales figures at the start of 2025, and the positive growth we’re seeing in charger orders, supporting drivers to make the switch safely.

In a practical fashion is becoming more urgent. Take domestic meter facilities, for instance. If 20 individual residents want to install a charger, you could have as many electricians looking to access the building’s meter room, which the customer cannot access in future if something goes wrong.

This raises concerns around the health and safety. We’ve seen worrying situations like a cable being run out a window from an interior socket, causing potential electrical, security and trip hazards.

Our crews have even been called in to help EV owners who have engaged suppliers who don’t make proper provisions or offer adequate after-sales service, again forcing EV users to make repeated investments.

For apartment owners and management companies, having a good standard of EV infrastructure can only be a good thing. I have personally witnessed a situation where someone was viewing a home for sale but left once they learned it could not properly accommodate their EV. It stands to reason that someone who has invested in an electric vehicle will want a home where charging is a simple process.

Where is the incentive for apartment residents to make the switch, particularly in urban areas where this kind of home is more common and EVs are more popular?

We have welcomed repeated announcements on homeowner grants for EVs and motorway EV charger infrastructure. We’re proud to be part of public charger projects with a number of Irish local authorities. We look forward to seeing the details of the recently announced programme that will allow people to rent out their private chargers.

Joined-up thinking on this issue is in the interest of all stakeholders:

• The government needs EV adoption to ramp up in order to work towards our 2030 emissions deadlines.
• Prospective buyers or tenants need facilities to make apartment life practicable for the long term.
• Management companies need to ensure complexes remain attractive to prospective buyers or tenants.
• Bringing EV infrastructure to existing apartment complexes can be achieved more quickly than servicing new complexes awaiting completion.
• Comprehensive, mandatory approaches to the servicing of these multi-dwelling sites would address each of these areas.
• This year, with a new government, a new minister with responsibility for the area, and positive EV sales trends, brings fresh opportunities. Removing obstacles facing apartment owners would be a good place to start.

Ivan O’Connor is the commercial sales director for ePower. Born in Fermoy, Co Cork, Ivan grew up steeped in the motor trade as the son of a Toyota dealer. Ivan worked for Dairygold and then the Queally Group in the US and then spent three years in Russia, not long after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Back in Ireland, Ivan spent the next 20 years in the tech sector before returning to his motortrade roots