Two new EV charging hubs for Mayo

Mayo Co Council is to roll out two new community electric vehicle (EV) charging hubs in Mayo as it attempts to make the county "the EV capital of Ireland".

The hubs will be located in Ballycastle (near the local church) and in Murrisk (beside Croagh Patrick). Both hubs will have six spaces for fast and slow charging.

The council's Acting Head of Roads Conrad Harley revealed details of the initiative at last week's meeting of the Mayo strategic policy committee (SPC) for roads.

“A total of €248,900 has been secured to progress this initiative and a tender has been issued for an operator to come in. The idea is to get the works started soon and let the operator take over."

Mr Harley added that a consultant has been appointed across five counties, including Mayo, to oversee full EV strategies in the West, with data collection and analysis currently underway.

The council's Director of Services Tom Gilligan commented said Ballycastle village had been selected after it proved too costly to bring the infrastructure to the nearby tourist destination of Downpatrick Head.

"I think this hub should be very good for people, given the option to charge in Ballycastle while also availing of the services and facilities and tourism works happening in the area, which now includes walks around Downpatrick Head and the Céide Fields, so it is a very good location.” 

Cllr Patsy O’Brien noted that some GAA clubs had also expressed an interest in providing EV charging points and was informed by Mr Harley that the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) offers grants for sporting organisations but the council has no involvement in this.

Committee cathaoirleach Cllr Annie May Reape noted that many hotels and private businesses are installing private chargers for customers, adding: “At Mount Falcon there is at least eight or nine EV points, it is brilliant.” 

Mr Gilligan said the council wanted to "make Mayo the most EV county in the country”.

“The whole EV strategy needs to be looked at in terms of long-term implications around employment and indeed rates income to the council. If you look at filling stations, people are filling up on petrol and diesel, then they avail of the services there. So if we could look long-term at how EVs will impact the local economy, I think that will be important. I have raised this already at national level.” 

Cllr Richard Finn said Mr Gilligan had made a good point.

“We are all creatures of habit. Filling stations, that is where everybody is pulling up, whether for having their coffee or to get out of their vehicles for a break. Putting chargers in place where it is more difficult to park or on somebody’s private property is no use."

Mr Harley said it was essential to ensure there is "an adequate EV network where people need them rather than where they don’t".

This article is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.