Press release
New EU community facilities EV charging scheme opens today
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Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has today announced the launch of the EU Just Transition Fund (EUJTF) Community Facilities Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Scheme.
The Scheme will see €15 million invested from the EU Just Transition Fund to support the roll-out of publicly accessible, fast charge point infrastructure at community facilities in counties Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath, Roscommon and municipal districts (MDs) of Ballinasloe (Co Galway), Athy, Clane-Maynooth, (Co Kildare) and Carrick-on-Suir and Thurles (Co Tipperary). This scheme aims to provide EV charging at popular public facilities including community centres, public libraries, public health centres, recreational facilities, and enterprise centres across the Just Transition territory.
The scheme is part of the EU JTF Programme which is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union and aims to support regions that are experiencing the negative impacts from the transition away from fossil fuel-intensive or greenhouse-gas-intensive industries, such as the using peat for energy generation.
Announcing the launch of the Scheme, Minister Ryan noted:
“The EU JTF Community Facilities EV Charging Scheme is an example of how the government and the European Union are working together to connect communities with smart and sustainable mobility options to benefit directly from the green transition. Directed specifically at the wider Midlands region, this is one of many initiatives we are taking to accelerate the transition towards a greener, more sustainable transport system and to boost the uptake of electric vehicles across the region."
Applications will be gathered and assessed by Pobal, who will provide guidance on the scheme generally and who will offer direct support to applicants. Speaking today, Pobal CEO, Anna Shakespeare said:
"Pobal is delighted to work with the Department of Transport and Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland on this exciting and ambitious new scheme. The EU JTF Community Facilities EV Charging Scheme is a very timely and important initiative to support the rollout of electric vehicle charging points at community facilities in the wider midland region. This Scheme will support local communities in their transition to climate neutrality through the expansion of publicly accessible electric vehicle charging points in towns and villages across the region. In light of Ireland’s targets under the Climate Action Plan 2023, we in Pobal recognise the value of accessible services to communities and are proud to support it.
"With Pobal’s own commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals this will be a programme of importance to us as an organisation in the years to come. We look forward to working with all stakeholder organisations in the region to making this scheme a success and model of best practice for community-based EV charging schemes."
This scheme follows the launch of the Shared Island Sports Club EV Charging Scheme earlier this year under the government’s EV Charging Infrastructure Strategy. This will be followed by further destination schemes for commercial and public sector locations, as well as by a neighbourhood charging scheme which will support local authorities to provide charging for areas where home charging is not possible.
The deadline for receipt of applications is 28 September 2023 and for further information on how to apply, visit the Pobal website.