Government must act as ESB price hikes undermine switch to electric cars
Government must act as ESB price hikes undermine switch to electric cars - The Labour Party
Labour climate and transport spokesperson Ciarán Ahern TD has today called on the Government to challenge ESB’s public charging price increases and deliver affordable charging across Ireland, following reports that motorists relying on public chargers can now pay more to power an electric car than a petrol or diesel equivalent.
Deputy Ahern said:
“Government keeps telling people to switch to electric cars, yet drivers who depend on public charging now face another big increase. Today’s reported price rises of 15% to 18%, adding between €7 and €12 to a full charge, undermine the very change Ministers claim they want to encourage.
“This sends entirely the wrong signal just days before COP, when we need Government to renew its commitment to climate action and back those promises with action at home. Ministers cannot credibly urge greater climate ambition on the world stage while allowing the cost of cleaner transport to move further out of reach here.
“This hits particularly hard for apartment residents and people without a driveway who cannot install a home charger to access cheaper overnight electricity. For workers who need a car to reach their job, these costs matter every week. Many have no practical public transport alternative. Making public charging more expensive creates another obstacle for people who want to cut their emissions but have limited choices.
“Labour’s Alternative Budget calls for increased State investment in the charging network, including on-street charging through local authorities. That investment must give households reliable, affordable access near where they live.
“Government must demand answers on these increases from ESB and set out how it will deliver affordable public charging. The Minister must make the switch to electric a realistic choice for people without home chargers. They cannot keep asking motorists to change while allowing the cost of doing so to rise.”