Call for e-chargers to be installed by Council in Cobh

Councillors in Cobh are seeking a pilot scheme to install municipal-run chargers for electric cars in the town, primarily because of the large number of tourists coming there with e-vehicles.

The issue was raised at a recent meeting of the Cobh Municipal District Council by Fianna Fail councillor Dominic Finn.

He asked that both the municipal council and county council examine the provision of additional fast charging facilities in the town.

Mr Finn asked that they identify suitable locations and progress the installation of additional chargers as soon as practicable, “taking into account the needs of local residents, businesses, commuters and the significant number of tourists who are visiting Cobh.” 

He said that last summer’s extended period of fine weather resulted in a very busy tourist season and many of the visitors who came had electric vehicles and were asking local politicians and residents where they could find charging points.

In a written response council officials said that the local authority is currently developing an ‘electric vehicle strategy’ for the county, and this is being prepared by consultants Arup on behalf of the council in a joint strategy with Kerry County Council.

The statement added: ‘This process is being funded and guided by the Department of Transport through its ZEVI (Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland) Office. We are currently preparing the strategy and actioning a number of pilot sites and will be moving into the implementation stage thereafter.’ Mr Finn insisted that Cobh should be listed for one of these pilot schemes.

Labour councillor Cathal Rasmussen said that in 2021, before Mr Finn was elected, municipal council members had also asked that Cobh be designated for such a pilot scheme.

“Five years later and we are still no nearer to getting this done. We were the first to ask for it to be done. I’m more frustrated than anybody about this,” Mr Rasmussen added.

Independent Ireland councillor Ger Curley said it’s a no-brainer as there are far more electric vehicles on the road than ever, the local population of the area is increasing and there are more and more visitors coming to the town who own them.

Padraig Barrett, the senior council official for the area, who also acts as the local authority’s director for roads and transportation services, said he owns an electric vehicle himself.

He said he would follow up on the councillors’ requests and report back to them.