ESB launches community EV pilot project in Carrick-on-Shannon

The Leitrim Volunteer Centre will have the use of a new Corsa-e for its daily trips as part of a new community electric vehicle (EV) pilot rolled out by ESB and supported by Leitrim County Council.  

The six-month pilot programme involves the installation of a new charge point at The Hive, Carrick-on-Shannon by Leitrim County Council with the infrastructure remaining in place in the long term. 

The aim of the project is to assess the needs and demands of community EV sharing initiatives and to develop electric transport solutions, complementing the plans recently set out by the revised Climate Action Plan. 

Leitrim Volunteer Centre already has a volunteer driving scheme in place in Carrick-on-Shannon with 27 volunteers and 40 clients, with all the trips taken in their own personal vehicles. The Centre will manage the pilot programme including access to the car. 

Josephine Stoker, Leitrim Volunteer Centre, Lorraine Cronin, ESB, Matt Pitt, Electric Ireland, Laura Cassin Leitrim Volunteer Centre, and Áine Carr, Leitrim County Council

Speaking at the launch of the pilot, Donal Phelan, Innovation Manager at ESB, said: “ESB plays a critical role in the country’s efforts to electrify our transport sector, with this pilot another example of our commitment to investing in initiatives that will bring many benefits to the communities in which we serve. We are proud to support the work being done by Leitrim Volunteer Centre and look forward to seeing how this pilot will help their service offering while we also commend Leitrim County Council for supporting this important project.”

The Corsa-e - leased by ESB from Enterprise - has a range of 337 km, offering plenty of charge for one day’s driving in the locality.  Users will also have access to ESB’s network of more than 1,350 EV chargers for their requested trips.

Josephine Stroker, Manager of Leitrim Volunteer Centre stated “We are delighted to be part of this exciting initiative, it will be an invaluable addition to the Leitrim Community Car Scheme which provides a vital service to those who use it in County Leitrim.  The scheme transports people to essential medical appointments with the support of an amazing, dedicated and selfless group of Volunteers”   

As part of the project, data on how users avail of the service will be analysed such as how they travel to the Hive and where/when they required charge top-ups on their journeys.  It is planned that community groups and local people may have access to the e-Corsa, pending availability and approvals. This will be announced at a later date. 

The Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council, Cllr Ita Reynolds-Flynn commended the project and added “Leitrim County Council is delighted to support this initiative by supporting the installation of the EV chargers. The project also complements the ongoing Sustainability Mobility Pathfinder project that Leitrim County Council is leading out on as prioritised by the Department of Transport Pathfinder programme.”