ESB has announced that it has taken over responsibility for the operation, maintenance and development of the charge point network for electric vehicles (EV) users in Northern Ireland with effect from July 30. The planned move follows successful completion of the installation of a network of 334 public charging points across the North. The transfer to ESB facilitates the next phase of the project, which will seek to put in place a cutting edge operating system to allow the EV charging network to be run commercially within the electricity sector.

Northern Ireland Transport Minister Danny Kennedy said: “The completion of the network has contributed to the increase in the number of ecars registered here from five in 2011 to about 750 today, a number that continues to rise steadily month on month.

"Charge point usage has significantly increased in parallel with this growth and there have been more than 23,000 individual charging events carried out over the past three years.

“The transfer of the network to the electricity sector offers electric vehicle drivers the benefit of a streamlined and customer-focused approach to the ongoing operation of the charge points within one entity and provides ESB with the opportunity to develop a commercial approach to meet increasing demand. I wish ESB every success as the ecar project moves from strength to strength.”

The North's Environment Minister Mark H Durkan said: “The ecar project is an excellent example of how public and private sector organisations working in partnership can open up opportunities for people across the island of Ireland to switch to a more sustainable mode of transport.

“The use of electric vehicles, ideally powered by electricity from renewable sources, is a sustainable means to decarbonise transport and contribute to our climate change, air quality and noise objectives.”

Paul Mulvaney, executive director innovation, ESB, said: “We at ESB are very pleased to assume responsibility for the electric vehicle charging network in Northern Ireland and are committed to maintaining and growing the network into the future.

"Electric vehicle sales are increasing rapidly with all major car companies bringing EVs to the market. The charging network in Northern Ireland is one of the most advanced, integrated smart charge point systems in Europe which is well placed to facilitate the increased uptake in EVs for years to come.”