ubitricity, a member of the Shell Group, and Fingal County Council have partnered to test new charging options for motorists in Fingal. As part of a joint pilot scheme, ubitricity has retrofitted two lampposts in Malahide village with electric vehicle (EV) charging devices stored inside the post.
ubitricity is currently the largest public EV charge point operator in the UK, and the two lamp posts located next to Malahide Garda Station and Train Station are its first charge points in Ireland.
By offering a public charging solution for residents without access to off-street parking like a private garage, ubitricity’s objective is to charge EVs when and where they park – overnight and on the street, right at their doorstep. This type of charging is also known as ‘base’ charging. Drivers can charge without the need for a subscription by simply scanning the QR code and following the instructions.
“We look forward to working with councils across Ireland, including Fingal County Council, to help them and customers to switch to electric vehicles. As public demand for EV charging infrastructure is growing exponentially a highly-scalable, and easy to deploy solution is needed for a fast roll-out,” said Lex Hartman, CEO of ubitricity.
“The unique compactness helps the charge points to blend in well with the street scenery and keeps the sidewalks clutter-free. Recharging the battery whenever the car is parked anyway will accelerate EV adoption as charging becomes simpler and more convenient.”
Importantly, an amendment to the Planning and Development Act in March 2020 extended the use of street lighting poles to include EV charging, enabling the lamp post charging pilot project.
To make the transition towards more sustainable transportation easier for Fingal residents, the Council decided to test solutions that would enable on-street charging for EV-drivers right where they are parking. The participation and feedback of the local residents will be key to defining the future strategy for rollout of charging infrastructure across Fingal.
Fingal County Council will cover the costs of using the chargers during the initial trial, later moving to pay-per-use model. The Council is committed to finding the best solution for its residents and expects testing of the ubitricity solution to be very successful. Indeed, David Storey, Director of Services for Environment Climate Action and Active Travel at Fingal County Council, is looking forward to the further development of EV infrastructure throughout the county.
“The ubitricity pilot in Malahide allows us to gauge public reaction and level of use of this very convenient and non-intrusive type of charging facility,” said Storey.
“This is just one element of the wider plan for EV infrastructure and sustainable transport within Fingal and we expect it will be well-received by residents and visitors alike.”
