ESB.ie: Joint EU project will give EV drivers an extensive Rapid Charge Network across Ireland & UK.
The Irish electricity utility ESB is part of a consortium to deploy additional interoperable fast/rapid charge points in Ireland and Britain, which will link the electric vehicle charging networks in both countries with Europe. This new network, which is currently under construction, is being co-funded by the European Union via the Trans European Transport Network (TEN-T) and represents a substantial partnership investment of over €7 million. The start of the project’s deployment is being officially marked today at a ceremony at the Corley Services on the M6 motorway in Coventry.
The project is led by Nissan and joined by BMW, VW and Renault and it brings together leading Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) companies to accelerate the growth of EV charging infrastructure, which is seen as a key enabler in making zero-emission mobility a market reality. The project, managed by Zero Carbon Futures in North East England draws on the network expertise of ESB, which recently completed another TEN-T funded electric vehicle charging infrastructure project.
Once completed, the UK Rapid Charge Network (RCN) will comprise of more than 70 multi-standard rapid chargers covering some 1,100km of major trunk routes and provide EV-friendly links to five seaports along with five international airports. The network will run on two priority road axis in the UK, linking major ports and cities including Stranraer, Liverpool, Holyhead, Birmingham, Felixstowe, Leeds and Kingston upon Hull. It will also connect with Ireland’s existing fast charge network in Dublin and Belfast in Northern Ireland.Ten rapid chargers have been already installed with a further 28 sites soon to be commissioned.
The rapid chargers being deployed are state-of-the-art multi-standard units and are compatible with cars using 44kW CCS, 44kW CHAdeMO or 43kW AC systems. This will ensure that EV drivers travelling throughout the UK and in Ireland can undertake long journeys secure in the knowledge that they will never be far from a rapid charger.
Deirdre Arthur, Commercial Manager ESB ecars said “We are delighted to be part of this project, which has been awarded EU funding to deploy additional Electric Vehicle (EV) fast charge points in Ireland and Britain. Once completed, EV motorists from anywhere in Ireland will be able to travel to Britain and Europe using this interoperable electric vehicle charging infrastructure”.
Nissan is leading the BEV manufacturers’ contribution to the overall costs, a significant portion of which will be used to fund a research programme, led by Newcastle University. This will aim to confirm the benefits of such an advanced inter-operable EV rapid charging network.
Strategic information gathered from users, including customer charging behaviour and changes in mobility patterns, will help plan the roll-out future rapid charging infrastructure in member states across Europe.
As well as helping to finance the scheme, the consortium will provide other members of the project with the benefit of its extensive experience in the BEV field.
The UK RCN project is one of 30 priority transport projects across Europe identified by TEN-T. The priority projects were chosen according to the added value they offer to the European community and their contribution to the sustainable development of transport systems.
The Irish electricity utility ESB is part of a consortium to deploy additional interoperable fast/rapid charge points in Ireland and Britain, which will link the electric vehicle charging networks in both countries with Europe. This new network, which is currently under construction, is being co-funded by the European Union via the Trans European Transport Network (TEN-T) and represents a substantial partnership investment of over €7 million. The start of the project’s deployment is being officially marked today at a ceremony at the Corley Services on the M6 motorway in Coventry.
The project is led by Nissan and joined by BMW, VW and Renault and it brings together leading Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) companies to accelerate the growth of EV charging infrastructure, which is seen as a key enabler in making zero-emission mobility a market reality. The project, managed by Zero Carbon Futures in North East England draws on the network expertise of ESB, which recently completed another TEN-T funded electric vehicle charging infrastructure project.
Once completed, the UK Rapid Charge Network (RCN) will comprise of more than 70 multi-standard rapid chargers covering some 1,100km of major trunk routes and provide EV-friendly links to five seaports along with five international airports. The network will run on two priority road axis in the UK, linking major ports and cities including Stranraer, Liverpool, Holyhead, Birmingham, Felixstowe, Leeds and Kingston upon Hull. It will also connect with Ireland’s existing fast charge network in Dublin and Belfast in Northern Ireland.Ten rapid chargers have been already installed with a further 28 sites soon to be commissioned.
The rapid chargers being deployed are state-of-the-art multi-standard units and are compatible with cars using 44kW CCS, 44kW CHAdeMO or 43kW AC systems. This will ensure that EV drivers travelling throughout the UK and in Ireland can undertake long journeys secure in the knowledge that they will never be far from a rapid charger.
Deirdre Arthur, Commercial Manager ESB ecars said “We are delighted to be part of this project, which has been awarded EU funding to deploy additional Electric Vehicle (EV) fast charge points in Ireland and Britain. Once completed, EV motorists from anywhere in Ireland will be able to travel to Britain and Europe using this interoperable electric vehicle charging infrastructure”.
Nissan is leading the BEV manufacturers’ contribution to the overall costs, a significant portion of which will be used to fund a research programme, led by Newcastle University. This will aim to confirm the benefits of such an advanced inter-operable EV rapid charging network.
Strategic information gathered from users, including customer charging behaviour and changes in mobility patterns, will help plan the roll-out future rapid charging infrastructure in member states across Europe.
As well as helping to finance the scheme, the consortium will provide other members of the project with the benefit of its extensive experience in the BEV field.
The UK RCN project is one of 30 priority transport projects across Europe identified by TEN-T. The priority projects were chosen according to the added value they offer to the European community and their contribution to the sustainable development of transport systems.
