Cork has second lowest level of EV charging points

Cork has the country’s second-lowest level of access to EV [electric vehicle] charging points, new research has revealed.

Last month, the Department of Transport announced the allocation of €9.9m in funding for 90 new EV charging hubs across Ireland, located along national primary and secondary roads, with eight to be located in Co Cork.

Analysis carried out by insurance comparison website Chill Insurance shows that Cork, despite being the largest county in the country, has the country’s second-poorest access to public charging points.

Leitrim ranks lowest in Ireland for public EV chargers, with just 0.6 chargers per 10,000 people.

Cork came in second lowest, offering 0.7 public EV charging points per 10,000 residents.

The research showed that Westmeath is Ireland’s best county for EV drivers, with 44.9 EVs, 2.2 chargers, and 2.7 dealerships per 10,000 residents.

Conversely, Leitrim ranks lowest, with just 55 registered EVs, two chargers, and one dealership across the county, highlighting major regional gaps.

Dublin, for example, is home to more than 10,800 registered EVs, 116 chargers, and 122 dealerships, far exceeding any other county in absolute numbers.

However, Dublin has only 0.8 chargers per 10,000 people, putting it in fifth position when adjusted in line with population, meaning that even in an urban area, EV owners may find that demand for charging outstrips supply in key locations.