Dublin City Council’s decision to ban new electric vehicle (EV) overhead charging arms has been criticised as “extraordinary” by a leading transport expert. 

Amid a lack of quality charging infrastructure, many EV owners who do not live in a property with a driveway have struggled to charge their cars. 

Overhead charging infrastructure has become increasingly popular in the Dutch cities but officials in Dublin City Council are unimpressed. 

“They’re saying there’s going to block it and it’s not just a matter of applying for planning permission,” motoring correspondent Geraldine Herbert told The Pat Kenny Show.  

“They’re just going to object to it, full stop.

“It seems extraordinary on a number of levels because number one, running cables on the footpath is the last thing you want to do because that does cause an obstruction. 

“It can be a safety hazard - particularly for people in wheelchairs, vulnerable road users, everything like that.” 

Switch to EVs

Under the 2023 Climate Action Plan, the Government hopes that 30% of all vehicles on Irish roads will be electric by 2030. 

Last year, 19% of new cars sold in Ireland were electric - up from 15% the previous year. 

Despite an increase in charging prices in recent months, EVs are generally cheaper to run than the average petrol or diesel car. 

However, Ms Herbert said the price advantage does not exist if the car cannot be charged at home. 

“In terms of EV adoption, unless you have convenience and the cost saving of charging at home, they really don’t make as much financial sense as they would otherwise,” she said. 

“So, I can’t see why they’re blocking this; I just can’t see what the issue is with it.” 

The sale of new petrol or diesel cars will be banned in the European Union from 2035 onwards as part of the bloc’s efforts to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Dublin City Council has been contacted for comment.

Main image: An electric car. Picture by: Pexels