Peter Burke TD, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, has officially opened SSE’s first ultra-rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging hub in Ireland.
The launch of the 10-bay facility located just off the M4 at Lough Sheever Corporate Park in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, is part of SSE Energy Solutions plans to build 300 ultra-rapid EV charging hubs powered by traceable, renewable energy in the UK and Ireland in the next five years with several sites already open and more under construction.
Each ultra-rapid bay has charging capabilities of up to 150kW, sufficient to deliver 12.5 kms (7.76 miles) of range per minute of charging.
The site has been specifically designed to accommodate electric heavy goods vehicles (eHGVs), as well as standard EVs. The hub boasts four long wheelbase drive-through bays purpose built for eHGVs, making it the first site of its kind in Ireland.
Over the coming months, SSE will open further hubs at various Irish locations including Blanchardstown Business Park, Greenogue Industrial Estate (both County Dublin), and Ashbourne Retail Park (County Meath).
The company recently announced a joint venture with TotalEnergies under the brand “Source” to establish a new major player in EV charging infrastructure in the UK and Ireland. The new business will deploy in both countries up to 3000 ultra-rapid charge points over the next five years and all existing SSE charging hubs will be rebranded as Source in due course.
"With the number of EVs on Irish roads growing quickly, the deployment of fast and reliable EV charging infrastructure is essential," said Sean O’Callaghan.
SSE EV Operations Director."The launch of our first ultra-rapid charging hub in Ireland is proof that SSE will support the Irish Government’s ambitions to meet the demand for this infrastructure and this is just the beginning of our ambitions.
"We are working to build a network of easy-to-reach charging points that will serve communities across Ireland."
Zapmap and SSE share a live data partnership, meaning that users of the Zapmap app and web map can access the live status and availability of SSE charge points at any time, making planning for charging even easier.
"To reduce transport emissions and meet our climate targets, the Government is committed to promoting and incentivising the use of EVs," said Peter Burke, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
"Private investment like this is essential to grow the network with the pace and scale required to meet Ireland’s ambitious targets. I am delighted SSE has selected Mullingar as the location of their first EV charging Hub in Ireland.
I have no doubt that businesses in the region with eHGVs, as well as members of the public, will benefit from this innovative site.
