Concern at 18-month delay in roll out of electric vehicle fast chargers across Cork and Kerry
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It is likely to be at least another 18 months before electric vehicle (EV) fast chargers begin to be rolled out in Cork and Kerry by private contractors working with local authorities to identify prime locations.
The delay has caused serious concern for some councillors in one of Co Cork’s premier tourist towns, especially as they had highlighted the need for them a year and half ago.
Members of the Cobh Municipal District Council asked when the much-needed roll-out would occur.
Labour council Cathal Rasmussen said he’d first raised the issue 18 months ago and claimed the report he received from senior council management meant it would take a further 18 months from this time to see them on the streets.
Mr Rasmussen said it is taking an “exorbitant length of time” to roll them out.
He was reacting to a report by a senior council official from Cork County Council who said they are leading the roll-out on behalf of Co Kerry as well.
Mr Rasmussen and Fine Gael councillor Sinead Sheppard said tourists visiting Cobh with EVs were crying out for them. The latter stated that some taxi drivers with such vehicles had to go outside Cobh to charge them.
Fianna Fáil councillor Sheila O’Callaghan said there’s not much point in having an EV when there is such a shortage of fast chargers outside cities.
“We don’t have the infrastructure to support national aspirations of carbon reduction. We need to be serious and invest in them,” Fianna Fáil councillor Gillian Coughlan added.
Social Democrats councillor Liam Quaide said a lack of fast chargers is likely a factor in the 25% reduction in EV sales in the past year, adding;
Mr Rasmussen said the report from senior officials showed the local authority is still developing a policy for their roll-out.
“That won’t be completed for months and then we’ll have to negotiate with providers. So, it’s nearly three years from start of this discussion until we see them in place and we’re talking about protecting the environment,” he added.
Councillors heard the preparation of EV charging strategies is being led by Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) in partnership with local authorities across the country.
A tender competition has been initiated for the appointment of consultants to prepare the strategy for the Cork and Kerry regions.
It’s expected the strategy development will take nine months to prepare and talks will then take place to find contractors to undertake the work. That is likely to take several more months to complete.
Local authorities will not be involved in installing, maintaining or operating the charging infrastructure.
This will be managed and delivered by Charge Point Operators (CPOs), who will in time be selected by the local authority to undertake the role.