MEA Council focus on switch to electric vehicles
- Nov 30, 2020
- 1 min read
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council recently received a presentation from ESB ecars during a Climate Change Working Group meeting in September.
ESB ecars took over the operation and maintenance of electric car infrastructure in 2015.
They look after 300 charge points and 17 rapid charge points throughout NI. At present users get the electricity free but that will change in the near future. ESB ecars project that going forward more than 85% of electric car users will charge at home as batteries deliver a higher mileage range.
A government grant is now available for on-Street Residential Charging Scheme (ORCS), subject to demand and demonstrated need, which could give Councils the ability to seek 75% funding, up to £6,500, to install charging infrastructure in residential areas where drivers have little or no access to off-street parking.
Alderman Billy Ashe MBE, who welcomed the points made in the presentation, said:
“We are in the early stages of an electric revolution in the transport sector, and connectivity is at its heart.
“The network of electric car charging points needs to continue to grow. We need to provide confidence to drivers without dedicated off-street parking so that they can charge at home.
“Lots of homes do not have off-street parking, so this funding is important to help our Council ensure that all residents can take advantage of this revolution.”
With calls to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2030, charging provision has been pushed to the forefront, especially in the Carrickfergus area where the charging infrastructure is very limited.
If you want more information on the grants available, please contact:
