Mayo learns of big challenges ahead of imminent electric vehicle revolution
Mayo faces the challenge of installing up to 200 electric vehicle charging points across the county before 2030 if it is to meet national and European infrastructure targets, it has been revealed.
The figures emerged at a meeting of Mayo County Council's roads strategic policy committee where senior executive engineer Brian Hastings delivered a presentation on the county's EV charging strategy and pilot projects currently under development.
Mr. Hastings said Ireland must expand its current national network from just over 5,000 charging points to more than 16,000 by 2030 to comply with Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) targets set at European level.
Translated into hardware terms, that deficit amounts to a requirement for approximately 112 chargers across Mayo alone, a figure Mr. Hastings said could stretch to 200 units when all types of charging infrastructure are factored in.
Zero Emissions Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI), the State body overseeing the transition, has set targets of 30 per cent for all private cars to be electric by 2030, and a 55 per cent reduction in transport emissions by the same date.
Mayo has to date secured nine charging locations under ZEVI grants, with two in Castlebar and single installations in Claremorris, Ballindine and Swinford among those confirmed.
The council has appointed consultants Systra to develop a dedicated EV charging strategy for the county.
A public consultation is planned for July and August, with stage two infrastructure planning to follow.
Mr Hastings outlined two live pilot projects already in the pipeline. In Ballycastle, a 50kW fast charger capable of bringing a vehicle from zero to 80& charge in 20 minutes is proposed, alongside slower chargers for use by residents who will be staying in the town for a longer duration.
At Croagh Patrick, fast charging infrastructure is being developed for both pilgrims and visitors who travel to the site. Environmental screening for both sites has been completed and approval to proceed to tender has been received.
Councillors raised a range of concerns during the debate.
The lack of grid capacity in rural parts of the county was identified as the principal obstacle, with Mr. Hastings acknowledging that photovoltaic panels and battery backup systems may need to be explored at some locations as a result.
Councillor Jarlath Munnelly said north Mayo and the more peripheral parts of the county risked being left behind and called for the Wild Atlantic Way corridor to be prioritised as a tourism highway for EV users.
He pointed to destinations including Downpatrick Head and Ceide Fields as ideal locations where visitors could charge their vehicles while exploring attractions.
"People will park their car for a period of time, their car could be charging while they're doing something," he said, adding that the economic spin-off for local businesses from charging stops should not be underestimated.
Councillor Richard Finn welcomed the presentation but said on-street charging should be avoided in town centres where parking pressure was already acute.
He called for infrastructure to be concentrated in off-street car parks and urged that energy costs for EV users be kept affordable, drawing a comparison with the preferential rates offered to data centres.
"If people have to pay through the nose, within the timeframe it's not going to happen," Cllr Finn said.
He also highlighted the importance of high-speed charging facilities at Knock, which attracts 1.5 million visitors annually.
Robeen-based Councillor Patsy O'Brien said tourist areas should be the first priority and questioned whether Ireland was moving too fast toward EV mandates given the current state of the infrastructure.
"No matter how many EVs you roll out, the system is just not right yet," he said.
Committee chair councillor Annie May Reape acknowledged there was a long road ahead.
"There's a lot in it and it's worthwhile," she said, welcoming Ballycastle's inclusion as a pilot site.
* Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.