THE UK government’s plans to ban petrol and diesel car sales from 2040 to encourage the use of electric cars seems to be at odds with the ESB’s and the Department for Infrastructure’s plans to remove electric car charging points from Fermanagh.
The Republic’s main electricity supplier, ESB, which owns and operates the electric vehicle charge points have been reviewing usage of the charge points and concluded they are under utilised and is considering moving them to areas of higher demand.
Alison McCullagh, director of Regeneration and Planning Fermanagh and Omagh District Council explained the council has corresponded with the relevant bodies. “The ESB’s main consultation was with E car Drivers, as opposed to other providers and they have referenced in the ESB response the cost of the provision of charge points and they have advised of their intention to proceed with the reallocations.
“They have also indicated that should additional charge points be identified in some point in the future that this is something that the council may wish to fund.”
Discussing this at Thursday night’s council meeting in Enniskillen, local councillor Thomas O’Reilly suggested sending a letter asking them to rethink their decision.
“I think this is another example of ignoring the West and rural communities. Basically what they are saying, they have seen that there is a greater demand in Belfast, so they are going to pull out the charge points from rural areas and move them. I think this is disgraceful and I am calling on this council to challenge this. We hear from government this week that they are planning on doing away with petrol and diesel vehicles.” said Cllr O’Reilly.
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