Sports clubs in the North of Ireland can apply for grants to install electric vehicle chargers from the Irish Government.
The new €15 million scheme aims to encourage sports clubs across the island and was launched on Monday by Ireland’s Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, and Minister for Sport, Catherine Martin.
Clubs both North and South can benefit for grants supported by the Government’s Shared Island Fund.
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Minister Ryan said: “Ireland is in a strong position to move to transport electrification.
“Most of our journeys are short and most of our charging is done at home, but it is important to make sure that we also have a strong public charging network in place for those without access to home charging, or for anyone who needs to top-up their charge when out and about.
“So many of us are frequent visitors to our local sports clubs, whether that’s dropping off our children for training or games, helping out or playing sports ourselves.
“It makes perfect sense then that we are starting our destination EV charging plans by providing these grants for sports clubs.”
The scheme has been launched in line with Ireland’s new National EV Charging Infrastructure Strategy.
Developed in partnership with Sports Ireland and Sports Governing Bodies across the island, clubs can apply to install a fast EV charge point at their grounds providing charging for club members as well as the local community.
Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, said: “It makes sense to work collaboratively on climate action, North and South, to achieve together a carbon neutral future.
“This scheme will support clubs and communities in becoming more sustainable and reinforce the message that by working together we can move away from carbon intensive transport and energy.”
Applications will be gathered and assessed by Pobal, who will provide guidance on the scheme generally and who will offer direct support to applicants.
Pobal CEO Anna Shakespeare said: “The Shared Island Sports Club EV Charging Scheme is very timely and important initiative to support the rollout of electric vehicle charging points at sport club facilities across the island.
“In light of Ireland’s targets under the Climate Action Plan 2023 and commitment to the Shared Island Initiative, we in Pobal recognise the value of accessible services to communities and are proud to support it.
“We have a long track record of working on an all-island basis and with Pobal’s own commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) this will be a programme of importance to us as an organisation in the years to come.
“We look forward to working with sports governing bodies and local sports clubs across the island of Ireland to making this scheme a success and model of best practice for community-based EV charging schemes.”
The scheme is the first announced as part of the Government’s EV Charging Infrastructure Strategy.
It will be followed by destination schemes for commercial and public sector locations, as well as by a neighbourhood charging scheme which will support local authorities to provide charging for areas where home charging is not possible.
See pobal.ie/programmes/ZEVISchemes for details on how to apply.
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