A new scheme to charge electric vehicle drivers for using the fast public charging network will begin from November 18th writes Geraldine Herbert
What are the new charges?
The ESB is to introduce charging costs for existing Fast Public Chargers (50kW DC) from 18th November. This will be followed by the introduction of pricing for High Power Chargers (150kW DC) once the first high power hubs are installed in early 2020. The standard (22kW AC) network will continue to be free to use while it is upgraded over the coming months.
How does the new pricing scheme work?
Under the new pricing scheme, there will be two price plans available for the fast chargers, Pay As You Go or Membership,
Pay as you go -Pay As You Go is charged at 33c per kWh.
– Membership is a €5 monthly subscription fee and a reduced charge of 29c per kWh. This is designed for drivers who typically use the network more than five times per month: Electric vehicle drivers can avail of an Introductory Offer for a limited time (from 29th October until the end of November) that provides the Membership rate with no monthly subscription for 12 months.
So how much does that actually work out at?
On the current Electric Ireland night rate, charging a Hyundai Kona from 0-100% would cost around €6.29 ( night rate of 10c). If you were to charge during the day the cost would be €11.94. By comparison, if you charge on the public fast-charging network it would cost €21.12. However it’s worth remembering that most people won’t charge from 0 – 100% but rather its more likely that they will charge from 20% to 80% and the cost, in this case, would be €12.67. Also if you opt for the subscription model the cost will be €11.13. To work out costs for your own electric car or an electric car you might be thinking about buying you simply multiply the size of the battery, eg 64kWh, by the charging rate, 33c for Pay as you go or 29c for the Subscription model. For information on range and batteries on all electric cars on sale click here.
Anything else to know about these new charges?
Yes, there will also be penalties if you exceed 45 minutes, a €5 overstay fee will apply.
You can listen back to Geraldine Herbert and Ciaran Cuffe discuss these new charges on the Sean O’Rourke Show on RTE Radio One Here
Geraldine Herbert
23rd October 2019
