Mayo native leading the charge for electric vehicles in Ireland
A BELMULLET native, Derek Reilly, now based in Dublin, is fast becoming an expert when it comes to electric vehicles and all different aspects related to industry.
Derek became aware of electric vehicles (EVs) back in 2018 when he hired one for a few hours to get around the city. He quickly realised it was the future of transport and reached out to the various EV manufacturers and distributors at the start of 2019 to start writing reviews for the award-winning Irish technology website https://www.theeffect.net/.
“I suggested to the editorial team on the website that I felt the readers, who were into gadgets and new forms of technology, may have an interest in electric vehicles (cars, scooters, etc.) and I was proven right by the increase in traffic we saw to the site once the posts started going live,” says Derek.
The success of these posts, both on the website and on social media, generated even more interest from the industry and the car manufacturers wanted more with many asking when would Derek start recording some video reviews for their vehicles.
Derek’s full-time job is with jobs website Indeed - he is a team lead with the UK sales division.
Reviewing EVs is a passion project for Derek and moving from written reviews to recording videos was a bit daunting. However, he was not shy of the camera, having been the past president of JCI Mayo, the Erris Chamber of Commerce and Erris Lions Club.
Derek’s fear laid in the production and editing. “With having to work from home, I had a lot more spare time on my hands and everyone I knew was getting 'Covid creative' by setting up different side hustles so there was no better time.”
The EV Review Ireland YouTube channel was launched and Derek published his first intro video back in June. Since then it has grown from strength to strength with over 1,100 subscribers, making it the No. 1 EV channel in Ireland in less than six months.
On the channel, Derek reviews all types of electric vehicles, from e-kickscooters, electric bicycles and electric cars all the way up to electric vans and electric buses. What makes the channel unique from other auto review channels is that Derek is only reviewing full battery electric vehicles. He doesn’t review soft hybrid, mild hybrid or even self charging hybrids.
A number of EV drivers don’t just make the transition because of the environmental impact, it’s also the lower running and service costs. Derek’s best piece of advice is to start tracking what your daily commute is adding up to. Know what range you need on a regular basis not just twice a year. Then take an EV for a test drive.
“By subscribing to my YouTube channel, you can see my reviews and then take the EV that interests you the most for a test drive. Some dealers will try and talk you out of one but find a dealer who will give you the best impartial advice.”
The YouTube channel has catapulted Derek into the national spotlight with opportunities to speak at the recent EV Summit and he is also a regular contributor on NewsTalk’s Tech Talk with Jess Kelly.
“I feel things are only going to get busier as more and more EV’s come onto the Irish market to satisfy demand. It’s a really exciting time to be involved in this industry.”
See the reviews here: https://www.youtube.com/EVReviewIreland