EV-ery little helps

Range anxiety “is real” amongst electric vehicle (EV) owners in Ireland and Cork County Council needs to facilitate their needs.

That’s according to Fianna Fáil Cllr Gillian Coughlan who called for more EV chargers in towns county wide.

According to the Society of Irish Motor Industry, 80% of electric vehicle charging is done in the home, however, Cllr Coughlan said she doesn’t want motorists to be left “high and dry” due to a lack of charging facilities.

“The popularity of electric vehicles is rising even though people still have some resistance to them. In 2022 there were 16,162 electric vehicles registered in Ireland; in 2023 there are 22,493,” said Cllr Coughlan.

“If we are real about climate change and we’re real about supporting people to make the right decisions, then I think we should be considering ducting for electric vehicle chargers in our main streets.”

Fianna Fáil Cllr Sean O’Donovan said: “I think there are just 113 public chargers in county Cork which is a very small number. It’s fine if you’re in the city but if you’re travelling to West Cork, you’d be questioning yourself as to whether there will be chargers and are they working.

“When we are putting in infrastructure like new lighting, maybe they could be incorporated into the new poles being installed. It will be the future, so we need to future proof our towns and villages for what’s to come.”

Niall Healy, Director of Services, Roads and Transportation, Cork County Council, said: “Cork County Council is currently preparing a brief for the appointment of a consultant in consultation with Zero Emissions Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) for the development of a strategy for electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the southwest region.

“Cork County Council is partnered with Kerry County Council in the development of the strategy (Cork County is the lead authority). This strategy, when developed, will set out the requirements for EV chargers across Cork county and Kerry.”