Eight New Fast Charging Hubs Announced for Cork's National Roads

Cork is set to benefit from eight new high power electric vehicle charging hubs as part of a nationwide €10 million infrastructure rollout announced today by Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien.

The Government revealed the locations of 90 new EV charging hubs across Ireland's national road network, with Cork's eight sites strategically positioned along the N71, N72 and N73 routes. The new infrastructure will deliver 192 fast charging points nationally, typically capable of 250kW charging speeds, with the distance between hubs reduced to 30km or less.

Cork's allocation includes four locations on the N71 coastal route: Celtic Ross Hotel, Cronins Centra, Fields Supervalu and Kevin O'Leary service station in Bandon. The N72, linking Kerry to Fermoy via Mallow, will gain three new hubs at Banteer Community Sportsfield and Park, Herlihy's Centra in Mallow, and O'Riordans Supervalu in Fermoy. The N73 will receive one hub at Centra Kildorrery.

Darragh O'Brien, Minister for Transport:

"Today's announcement marks the final major phase of our Light Duty Vehicle initiative, following the earlier Phase 1 and Phase 2 schemes, and completes this series of investments in our national EV charging network. Importantly, this investment will also bring high quality, high powered EV charging to more rural locations, helping to promote local economies, support tourism, and strengthen regional development."

The announcement is part of the Light Duty Vehicle Phase 3 scheme, operated by Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland and delivered by Transport Infrastructure Ireland. The initiative focused on over 2,900km of primary and secondary roads, with enterprises including petrol stations, hotels, supermarkets and community facilities successfully applying through a competitive grant process for the €9.9 million in available funding.

Seán Canney, Minister of State for International and Road Transport:

"I am delighted to see the rollout of these EV recharging hubs right across regional and rural Ireland. Achieving our climate action plan targets will only be possible if drivers know they can charge conveniently and reliably, and today's announcement is another significant step towards achieving that."

Across Munster, 32 of the 90 new hubs will be installed, with Kerry receiving 10 locations, Tipperary eight, Clare four and Limerick two. The investment complements existing high power charging infrastructure in Cork, including sites at Inver Charleville on the N20 and Inver Macroom on the N22, which were installed earlier this year and can provide up to 100km of charge in as little as six minutes.

Lorcan O'Connor, CEO of Transport Infrastructure Ireland:

"The scheme will make the most significant contribution so far towards the vision of providing a fully expansive EV recharging infrastructure network across all National Roads. This network will connect regional and urban communities, enhancing user confidence in Electric Vehicles and further support the Avoid-Shift-Improve framework of the Climate Action Plan."

The new charging hubs will support existing Government incentives for EV adoption, including purchase grants, home charger grants, apartment charger grants, reduced motor tax rates and lower VRT for electric vehicles. When combined with the previous two phases of the initiative, which delivered 149 charging points at 19 motorway locations and 175 points at 53 national road sites, Ireland's EV charging network will provide comprehensive coverage from motorways to rural roads.

The 90 new charging hubs are expected to be available for public use by the end of the first quarter of 2026, with installation timelines to be confirmed by individual grant recipients as they finalise their infrastructure plans.