Tourists visiting Donegal have been caught out by the lack of public EV charging points in local towns, the council has heard.
There are 19 public charging locations in 14 towns and villages across the county. Others are provided privately at hotels, office buildings, schools etc.
However, with the rise in electric vehicles, motorists are finding that there are not enough places to charge when they’re away from home.
Cllr Michael McMahon brought the issue before the council this week, asking if Donegal County Council could take action on the matter.
He that tourists have also been misled by incorrect information in guide books. When they arrive to a town expecting a place to charge, they have discovered there are no facilities available.
“There was an incident where people coming from Dublin to Ballyshannon and there was only one charger in Derrylin. We need to be fit to tell people that they can go to a charging point, and put it in our tourist magazines every year,” Cllr McMahon told the council.
Cathaoirleach Martin Harley commented that it is predominately a matter for the private sector.
Bryan Cannon, Director of Roads and Transportation, said that the council is working with Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland as it develops a publicly accessible EV charging network on a regional basis. The strategy was established by the Department of Transport and to deliver a national EV charging network consisting of home or apartment charging, residential neighbourhood charging (including mobility hubs), destination charging and en-route charging.
Mr Cannon said: “The council hasn’t been and isn’t in the business of providing fuel for motor vehicles in the past, and we won’t be in that position going forward, but we do have assets like car parks where these (EV charging) stations could be provided.
“It should be noted that 80% of EV charging is generally done at home, but for a tourist country like Donegal it’s important that people who visit and come and do business have a public network.”
Elected members are set to be updated on the progress of the ZEVI regional strategy in the future.
