Galway city and county has the fifth highest number of publicly available EV charge points in the country – but that still amounts to just 172 locations.

That that’s why research published this week by the Northern and Western Regional Assembly has raised serious doubts about the government’s ability to deliver on the Climate Action Plan’s commitment to have almost one million EVs on Irish roads by 2030.

Galway’s total of 172 is the highest by a distance in the Northern and Western region – which also includes Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Monaghan and Cavan – which has just 488 publicly available EV charge points in total.

Indeed, that Northern and Western Region registered the lowest concentration of publicly available EV charge points per km2 on the island of Ireland.

Dublin alone has 639, followed by Antrim (240), Cork (239), Kildare (174) and Galway – with the lowest numbers in Leitrim (8), Longford (19), Monaghan (24), Offaly (27) and Fermanagh (29).

The NWRA has also – in collaboration with the survey company Ireland Thinks – undertaken a survey of residents based in rural and urban areas of the Northern and Western region for their opinions on EVs and EV charge point infrastructure

The analysis outlines to policymakers what is needed to encourage a greater uptake of EVs and reduce dependence on fossil fuel-powered vehicles in rural regions.

The Climate Action Plan sets targets that require a transformation in how we travel and connect our communities. EVs can help meet these targets as improvements in battery technology and market offerings have made EVs a viable low-carbon alternative for rural residents who typically lack access to public transport.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App

Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.

Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.

Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite  HERE.

Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.