Major Boost for Electric Vehicle Infrastructure as 53 New High-Power Charging Hubs Announced Across Ireland

Nearly €8 million in funding will deliver 175 new fast and ultra-fast charging points along national roads by year's end, making electric vehicle ownership more practical for drivers travelling beyond Cork and across the country.

Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien has unveiled plans for 53 new high-power electric vehicle charging hubs that will significantly improve the national charging network, particularly benefiting Cork drivers making longer journeys across Ireland's road network.

The substantial investment of almost €8 million will support the installation of 175 new fast and ultra-fast charging points at strategic locations along national roads, with all infrastructure expected to be operational by the end of 2025. The initiative forms part of an ambitious plan to ensure no driver is more than 60 kilometres away from a charging hub anywhere on the national network.

Minister O'Brien said:

"We're taking real, practical steps to make electric vehicles work for everyone. With more chargers, more choice, and more support, we hope even more people will feel confident making the switch to electric. These high-powered chargers are a key step in that process. We're committed to building a sustainable and cleaner transport system, and that means making it easy to charge wherever you are."

The charging hubs are funded through the Light Duty Vehicle initiative, operated by Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) and delivered by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). This particular phase focused on over 1,200 kilometres of national single carriageway roads, with private enterprises including petrol stations, car parks, hotels, and retail outlets able to apply for funding through a competitive grant process.

Peter Walsh, CEO of TII, said:

"Working in partnership with ZEVI and the private sector, this scheme is helping us build the kind of infrastructure people can rely on: fast, efficient and accessible."

The announcement represents another significant milestone under Ireland's National EV Charging Network Plan, designed to make electric vehicle charging accessible from motorways to rural roads, and from cities to small towns. This complements the existing motorway network improvements, which previously saw 131 new high-power charging points installed at 17 locations along motorway and dual-carriageway routes.

For Cork drivers, this expansion means greater confidence when planning trips beyond Munster, knowing that reliable, fast charging infrastructure will be available along major routes. The development is particularly welcome given Cork's position as a gateway to the south and west of Ireland.

The initiative is part of broader government support for electric vehicle adoption, including purchase grants, home charger grants, and reduced Vehicle Registration Tax for electric vehicles. An additional scheme covering another 3,000 kilometres of the national road network is currently underway, with applications closing in June.

Full details on charging point locations are available at www.tii.ie.