Matthews calls for electricity rate cuts for owners of EVs
WICKLOW Green TD Steven Matthews has called on the ESB to pass on a reduction in rates for public Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers that they operate – including five charging points located in Bray.
Deputy Matthews has called for the costs to be cut following the reduction in unit rates for domestic users that will come in from March 1, that has not yet been passed on to public charger users.
The ESB currently operates 18 charge points in Wicklow, and it is expected that this will increase in line with increased demand for electric cars.
Discussing the cost of charging, Deputy Matthews said: “The last couple of years has seen a huge uptake in the use of EVs and charge points and this is hugely positive as we move away from our reliance on fossil fuels.
“Access to reliable and affordable public charge points is incredibly important to make choosing an EV a viable option. It is not just about long-distance journeys or topping up the battery in emergencies – we have to think about people that live in circumstances that for various reasons means that they don’t yet have access to domestic charging units.
“I have been contacted by a number of people that live in apartments that have not yet had a communal charger installed in their building and still rely on the ESB and other private suppliers to charge their vehicle. They have made an environmentally conscious choice and should not be unfairly penalised.
“I have written to the ESB to outline my concern regarding the ongoing high unit price on the charging infrastructure that they operate.
“I have also raised this directly with the Minister for Transport to ask that his department actively engage with the ESB to seek the reduction in costs of people using public chargers.
“This is about fairness to all customers, and I have asked that the ESB actively consider reducing the unit rates for public EV charging in line with previously announced cuts for domestic customers to further reflect the fall in the wholesale price of energy.
“Energy companies must work with us on the transition away from combustion engine cars and any hurdles that would discourage someone from switching need to be removed,” concluded Deputy Matthews.