New Ultra-Rapid EV Charging Hub Opens in Mullingar: A Major Boost for Ireland’s EV Infrastructure
This morning, Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment, Peter Burke, officially opened a new ultra-rapid EV charging hub at Lough Sheever Corporate Park, Mullingar. Operated by SSE, the facility is a significant step toward addressing Ireland’s electric vehicle (EV) charging needs. It features ten ultra-rapid chargers, with four long-wheelbase drive-through bays specifically designed for electric heavy goods vehicles (eHGVs). Each charging bay delivers up to 150kW of power, providing 12.5 km of range per minute—making it one of the fastest charging hubs in Ireland.
The Mullingar hub is part of SSE's ambitious plan to develop 300 ultra-rapid EV charging stations across Ireland and the UK over the next five years. This move supports Ireland's commitment to decarbonisation and aligns with the government's goal of having 30% of vehicles on Irish roads be electric by 2030. Currently, Ireland has over 2,400 charging points, with a commitment to adding more, including 131 charging points planned by the end of 2025.
Peter Burke emphasized the importance of building this type of infrastructure to avoid “range anxiety” for drivers and ensure easy access to EV charging stations along major routes. The Government aims to place charging points every 60km on major roads, supporting Ireland’s green energy goals.
In addition to the Mullingar hub, SSE is preparing to open further charging hubs at Blanchardstown Business Park, Greenogue Industrial Estate in Dublin, and Ashbourne Retail Park, County Meath. These hubs will be powered by traceable, renewable energy, ensuring sustainability at the core of Ireland’s EV expansion.
However, challenges remain. While this new infrastructure is promising, EV sales in Ireland have dropped by 25% this year, and concerns around charging availability persist. Despite these concerns, SSE's EV Operations Director, Sean O’Callaghan, expressed confidence in Ireland’s ability to meet the growing demand for fast, reliable charging infrastructure, noting that this new Mullingar hub is just the beginning.
