AN EU-funded project to install electric vehicle charging points in border areas has been officially launched.
The FASTER Project will provide €6.4 million for 73 rapid charging points in Northern Ireland and in border counties in the Republic. A number of sites will also be set up in western Scotland.
The project is being managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), with the Department for Infrastructure and the Department for Transport, Tourism and Sport in Dublin matching the EU funding.
The FASTER EV charging network will be installed on a phased basis over the next 18 months, with the location of the sites still under development.
The SEUPB said the project will encourage the increased use of more environmentally-friendly forms of transport, and also seek to address some of the barriers to greater public uptake of electric vehicles.
The project is being led by East Border Region, a local authority led cross border organisation, in partnership with a cross-border consortium which includes; Ulster University, South West College, University of Strathclyde, HiTrans, Louth County Council and Dundalk Institute of Technology.
The consortium is also working with a range of local authorities across the three jurisdictions to identify suitable locations for the infrastructure.
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon said: “Electric vehicles play a vital role in decarbonising our transport sector. The rollout of 73 rapid charging stations, as part of the EU INTERREG VA programme, will further incentivise the switch away from fossil fuel vehicles and will benefit drivers across all three jurisdictions. We look forward to working with the SEUPB and our Partners in the implementation of this project.”
