Council identifies 14 locations in Limerick for electric vehicle charging ports

A TOTAL of 14 locations across Limerick are to get new electric vehicle (EV) charging ports as part of a pilot project run by council.

At present, the local authority is preparing an EV charging strategy which is designed to identify and facilitate the deployment of devices which will allow vehicles to be recharged.

At the same time, council is progressing a pilot charging project, as the number of people driving cars without fossil fuel continues to grow.

“This will focus on delivering residential and destination charging solutions at a number of locations around the city and county,” explained council official John O’Leary in a written answer to Labour’s Joe Leddin at this month’s metropolitan meeting.

Of the 14 pilot locations identified, eight are located in the metropolitan area.

Mungret Park and Castletroy Park will be joined by an area around County Hall in Dooradoyle where ports will be erected.

Elsewhere in Dooradoyle, the local area park will be the location for one.

In the city centre, there will be pilot sites located at Merchant’s Quay, near City Hall, Hyde Road, near Colbert bus and rail station and O’Callaghan Strand.

A charging point will also be installed at Patrickswell.

“In addition to the work taking place, the Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland office is developing a national en-route transport plan EV charging network plan and its implementation will have a number of schemes to deliver charge points,” Mr O’Leary added.

Two Limerick artists shortlisted for prestigious folk music awards

He says this will lead to a rise in EV charging infrastructure across Limerick.

Councillor Leddin, who sought information on where new EV charging points could be located welcomed the response.

He said: “The reality is the sale of EVs is rising year-on-year and there’s a gradual decline in the sale of the traditional fossil fuel car.”

The City West member added it is important in promoting Limerick as a tourist destination, saying many visitors to Ireland are now hiring electric vehicles.

“The first thing they’d check out is where are charging points. We as a city and region need to demonstrate we have sufficient numbers of these charging points at various locations. It’s important this infrastructure is rolled out,” he concluded.