ESB has opened a new 8-bay charging hub in Kildare
ESB has opened a new 8-bay charging hub in Kildare

ESB has opened its first eight bay, high power electric vehicle charging hub as part of a €20m investment programme financed by the Government’s Climate Action Fund and ESB to expand and enhance the public EV charging network.

Located at Junction 14, Mayfield on the M7, Monasterevin, Co Kildare, the bay will contain three high power chargers (350kW) and one fast charger (50kW), with the ability to charge up to eight cars at any one time.

High-power charging hubs are dramatically faster than current charging infrastructure and are capable of providing 100 km range to EV drivers in as little as six minutes, depending on model.

ESB plans to open 50 hubs like this one, as it continues to invest in the upgrade of its charging infrastructure.

Six high power hubs allowing three EVs to charge at one time have already been opened in Ireland and the ESB says it has replaced over 590 charge points and upgraded 31 chargers to faster speeds.

Marguerite Sayers, Executive Director, Customer Solutions at ESB, said:

“The electrification of transport is a key component of ESB’s low carbon strategy for a brighter future. Today’s announcement of the first eight vehicle high power EV charging hub is a significant milestone as we work to meet the growing number of EVs on Ireland’s roads. This new 350kW high power charging hub, as part of our overall upgrade works, will significantly reduce charging time for EV users. When you couple this with at-home charging, it really signifies a positive next step for current and future EV drivers in Ireland.”

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD, said:

“The availability of high-power charging infrastructure on key national routes is critical for EV drivers who need to travel longer distances. Through our Climate Action Fund, we will continue to invest and maintain a world-class national charging network that supports the country’s transition to EVs. This new hub, launched by ESB today, and the others that will follow, will encourage more drivers to go electric, cut their fuel costs and reduce our carbon emissions.”