ESB’s electric cars division has deployed new fast-charge points at Applegreen services stations in Enflield, Lusk and Castlebellingham.
The new fast-charge points join an extensive network of fast chargers located throughout the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, which allow an 80pc charge within 20 minutes.
The new installations aim to make it easier to travel via e-car between Galway, Sligo, Dublin and Belfast.
“We welcome Nissan’s support in the rollout of 10 new fast-charge units in Ireland which adds to our growing network of fast charge-points throughout the country,” Dermot McArdle, manager ESB ecars, said.
“We are also delighted to have partnered with Applegreen to have some of these units located at their flagship locations.”
North-South e-car network
The rollout of the fast-charger network, which is interoperable both sides of the border, is well advanced.
ESB and the Department of Regional Development Northern Ireland have installed fast-charge points at service stations and other prime locations along major interurban, routes including Belfast, Banbridge, Dublin, Wexford and Rosslare. Fast-charge points are also being installed at Cork, Galway, Limerick and Derry.
“We are very impressed with the success that ESB is having in building a national fast-charging network in Ireland,” said Jean-Pierre Diernaz, director Electric Vehicles Europe, Nissan.
“CHAdeMO Fast Chargers allow compatible 100pc electric vehicles like the Nissan LEAF to be charged quickly, which makes longer-distance, zero-emission travel easier. We have seen, in other areas of the world, that the development of a faster charging network has a strong positive impact on sales of electric vehicles and we will be working hard to increase Nissan LEAF sales in Ireland.”
Applegreen’s director of operations Joe Barrett said consideration for the environment is a driving force at the service station business.
“Fuel technology is constantly evolving, driven by environmental issues and the search to provide lower-cost alternatives to fossil-based fuels. At Applegreen, we work hard to ensure our own branded products are recyclable and environmentally friendly. We recycle the rainwater in our sites for use in our carwashes and toilets.”
Photo: Sebastian Salera, co-ordinator, Zero Emission Strategy, Nissan Europe SAS; Joe Barrett, director of Operations, Applegreen; Brian Purcell, distribution controller, Nissan Ireland; Dermot McArdle, manager, ESB ecars; and Senan McGrath, chief technical officer, ESB ecars, launch the electric vehicle fast-charge points at Applegreen motorway service stations in Enfield
