The Department of Transport has announced the installation of electric vehicle recharging hubs for three Laois towns.

Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien welcomed the announcement of 90 new hubs nationwide, including hubs in Mountmellick, Portlaoise and Abbeyleix.

In Mountmellick, the recharging unit will be installed at the Corrib Oil service station. Portlaoise will receive a charging hub at the Drive service station on the Mountrath road, while a charging hub will also be installed at Breslin's Supervalu, Abbeyleix.

Pictured: an electric vehicle recharging point in Rathdowney

Minister O'Brien announced these provisions to service the expanding electric vehicle (EV) fleet across Ireland's national road network. 

Almost €10 million will be allocated to support grants for recharging infrastructure at the selected sites.  

These new sites will deliver 192 new fast recharging points, with an average capacity of typically 250kW, at 90 locations along the national primary and secondary road network.

The announcement is part of a wider plan to build a reliable recharging network across the country, with the distance between recharging hubs envisaged as 30km or less.

“Today’s announcement marks the final major phase of our Light Duty Vehicle initiative, following the earlier Phase 1 and Phase 2 schemes, and completes this series of investments in our national EV charging network," Minister O’Brien said.

"Together, these schemes aim to ensure that drivers across Ireland will have reliable access to high-powered charging, making the transition to electric practical and convenient," he said.

"Importantly, this investment will also bring high-quality, high-powered EV charging to more rural locations, helping to promote local economies support tourism, and strengthen regional development," the Minister finished.

Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney, also welcomed this news.

Pictured: Breslin's Supervalu, Abbeyleix

“I am delighted to see the rollout of these EV recharging hubs right across regional and rural Ireland," Minister Canney shared.

"Achieving our climate action plan targets will only be possible if drivers know they can charge conveniently and reliably, and today’s announcement is another significant step towards achieving that. This investment marks an important step in giving people the assurance that switching to electric is not only the right choice for the environment, but also a practical one for their daily journeys.” 

The recharging hubs are funded through the Light Duty Vehicle (LDV) initiative operated by Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) and delivered by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). 

This phase of the initiative focused on over 2,900km of primary and secondary roads. Enterprise owners such as petrol/service station operators, car park owners, hotels, supermarkets/retail outlets, and others with publicly accessible sites, could apply through a competitive grant process for funding. 

Pictured: Drive service station, Portlaoise

The total allocation for this Light Duty Vehicle Phase 3 scheme is €9.9 million.  

CEO of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Mr Lorcan O'Connor, hailed it a 'significant contribution' to Ireland's EV recharging infrastructure network.

“TII is pleased to drive the delivery of this final phase of the EV recharging infrastructure identified in the ZEVI National Road Network Plan," the CEO shared.

"This network will connect regional and urban communities, enhancing user confidence in Electric Vehicles and further support the Avoid-Shift-Improve framework of the Climate Action Plan and the electrification of Ireland’s car fleet," he said.

"The final delivery of the LDV phase 3 EV recharging infrastructure, when combined with the previous LDV phases 1 and 2, will be a major step in helping to reduce range anxiety," Mr O'Connor finished.

The announcement marks another step forward in Ireland’s National EV Charging Network Plan, which aims to provide reliable EV charging access across the country, from motorways and rural roads, as well as cities and small towns.

Pictured: The location of the new electric vehicle recharging hub in Mountmellick

This is part of the wider ZEVI National Road Network EV Charging Plan, which previously awarded grant funding to deliver 149 new high-power recharging points at 19 locations along the motorway/dual-carriageway network, and 175 new fast and ultra-fast recharging points at 53 locations along the national road network.

It adds to supports already in place, including the EV purchase grant, home charger grants, apartment charger grants, lower rates of motor tax, BIK relief and the reduced VRT for EVs.

This LDV Phase 3 EV recharging infrastructure is envisaged to be available for public use by the end of March, 2026.

Read Next: Laois property prices up €15,000 in last year