How can ESB charge more when the EV chargers don’t work properly? – Ó Muirí

The ESB needs to explain why it’s hiking EV charging fees when at the same time it’s admitting its own network can’t cope, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Chair of the Oireachtas Committee Climate, Environment and Energy, Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí said: “The ESB has effectively admitted that despite having 1,600 public chargers, the network can only supply around 1,400 cars charging at once – because the technology it has is too old to handle it.”

He said he was taken aback at the reports about the capabilities of the network.

“If you rang up any business and said, ‘I want to charge my customers more for a product that doesn’t do what it says on the tin’, you’d be laughed out of the room. But that’s exactly what’s happening here.

“Because of these price hikes, charging an EV at a public charger is more expensive than filling with petrol or diesel. For a mid-sized electric car, you’re looking at about €12 per 100km, as opposed to around €10 for a conventional combustion car.

“The ESB must explain how it can justify higher charging fees when it recently reported annual profits of €636 million and ESB Networks received a €1.5 billion equity investment from the State to support critical infrastructure improvements.

“If the ESB are to continue with these increases, the least it can do is publish a clear plan – county by county, location by location – of exactly where and when new and upgraded points are being delivered.

“Motorists are entitled to see that roadmap before they’re asked to pay more.

“People who choose to drive electric vehicles are supporting Ireland’s climate goals. They should not be asked to pay more before they see real improvements in charging availability,” concluded Deputy Ó Muirí.