The ESB has opened its latest EV fast-charging hub, which is located at Sligo Junction service station, at the meeting point of the N4 and N17 roads in Collooney, Co Sligo.
How many chargers are in this hub?
This latest hub includes six charging points, divided across three 200kW chargers, allowing for up to 100km of extra range in six minutes of charging, assuming you have an EV that can handle 200kW charging. If two cars are charging on the same unit at the same time, that falls to 100kW for each plug, of course.
Do I need an app to use these chargers?
There is the option of using the ESB e-Cars app, or an RFID card to activate these new chargers, but they also accept tap-and-go payments with a credit or debit card, although you'll be paying the highest rate of charging cost if you do that — 66c per kWh and you can only unlock lower per-kWh charging prices by signing up for an ESB e-Cars subscription for €4.79 per4 month.
It's also worth noting that the ESB has recently raised the prices of all of its public EV chargers, and that another price rise — for all charging providers — is likely in October when electricity prices return to the 13.5 per cent VAT rate.
How many charging points does the ESB have now?
This latest hub brings the ESB's total number of chargers to more than 1,600 across the whole island, and while some of them are older 22kW AC and 50kW DC chargers, there are 50 “strategically located High Power Charging Hubs” which the ESB says “provide contactless payment options, making it easier for all EV drivers to charge on the go.”
Welcoming this announcement, Francis O'Donnell, Head of eMobility at ESB, said: “Our customers expect convenience, speed, and reliability—and that's exactly what we're delivering. This new hub in Sligo reflects our strategic commitment to expanding a high-performance charging network that meets the evolving needs of EV drivers across the island.”
Dermot Fallon, Owner, at Sligo Junction Collooney, added: “We're delighted to welcome the new ESB High Power charging hub to our site here in Collooney. It offers a convenient and reliable charging option for both local drivers and those travelling through the region. As electric vehicle adoption continues to grow, we're proud to support a more sustainable transport network and to contribute to Ireland's clean energy future.”