Installation of 114 EV charging points to be rolled out in Offaly by 2030

OFFALY County Council is planning to oversee the installation of 114 Electric Vehicle Charging Points throughout the county during the next five years.
The June monthly meeting of the local authority was given a lengthy presentation about the subject of EV Charging Points by Paul McLoughlin, Director of Services and Barry Lennon, Director of Services.
Mr Lennon spoke about the Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy for the Counties of Offaly, Laois, Westmeath, Longford & Roscommon, in accordance with Ireland's Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy 2022-2025.
Mr Lennon said the more Electric Vehicles there are, the greater the benefits for air quality emissions.
He said that by 2030 there will be 74 Eleven kilowatt (kW), 34 fifty Kilowatt and 6 one hundred Kilowatt charging points in Offaly. The numbers attached to the charging points refers to the rate of electricity delivery. For example, a 50 kilowatt charging point delivers electricity at a rate of 50 kilowatts. This means it can add about 100 miles of range to most EVs in around half an hour. These chargers are considered "rapid" or "fast" chargers.
Mr Lennon told the meeting that this is the first time that the Council has a strategy for the delivery of EV infrastructure. He said it will be installed and run by a company from the private sector, not by the local authority.
Cllr John Leahy welcomed the news and said it will be a way of reducing people's high fuel bills, a frequent complaint. “I've noticed that once people invest in solar panels they then start talking about EV cars. Well done on this 2030 strategy. We are on the right path.”
Cllr Seán Maher pointed out that it will be very important to roll out EV charging points in tourist areas such as Clonmacnoise, Lough Boora, and the Slieve Blooms.
Cllr Aoife Masterson admitted that she went back to petrol "because I didn't have the confidence that I would get EV chargers where I needed them.” She said the infrastructure is just not there at the moment.

Changing topic slightly, she said more public transport is needed to facilitate people living in rural areas. She added that she is concerned that the grid capacity in Birr and Edenderry Municipal Districts will not be sufficient to meet demand.
Cllr Masterson added that while she welcomed the Council's new EV strategy she didn't agree with it being run by the private sector. “I think the local authority should invest in it rather than just keep it cost neutral. It's a service which, I believe, should be provided by the Local Authorities."
Cllr Seán O'Brien said the strategy was aiming in the right direction “but we are concerned about its current lack of detail. For example, will rural areas be adequately covered? Will tourist areas be adequately covered? I often hear people complaining about EV charger points, because there are not enough of them and they don't charge swiftly enough. In Tullamore we only have the one fast charger at the moment. I would like to see our charging points providing the fastest charging service possible."
Cllr Claire Murray Smale said the wind farm companies should be diverting some of their energy into the county's charging points.
Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick said he's noticed that EV cars are becoming more and more popular. “A lot of people are moving to them. It's the age we are living in. I think people should have some level of grant aid to install these chargers within their own homes. The government and the local authorities should be encouraging it with incentives like this. Of course, the EV infrastructure will continue growing and we will all change over eventually."
Cllr Shane Murray commented that he believed that every new housing development should come equipped with PV Solar Panels and EV Chargers. “It is a planning matter which requires a bit of vision,” he remarked. “Things like Heat Pumps, Solar Panels and EV Chargers are very big burdens for people because of the cost of living issue.”
Mr Lennon pointed out that the government is dedicated to the Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) initiative. ZEVI is a government programme focused on accelerating the adoption of EVs in Ireland in order to meet climate action targets. Mr Lennon pointed out that ZEVI works to support consumers, the public sector, and businesses in making the transition to zero-emission vehicles, a strategy which includes providing grants for EVs, supporting the development of charging infrastructure, and developing strategies and policies related to zero-emission vehicles.