Author: Sharon Digby

Please click on attachments below to view details and access application form and supplementary info relating to a new job opportunity at East Border Region Ltd

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A recent survey developed by Transport Research Partners in association with the FASTER Project partnership examined the attitudes of motorists and road users across Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland (Border Region) and Western Scotland to the the usage of electric and low emission vehicles. 1,485 responses were received, with 52% of all respondents indicating that they were considering the switch to an electric vehicle when making their next vehicle purchase.

 

A project supported by the European Union’s INTERREG VA Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), the FASTER Project has received funding of €6.47 million to install 73 rapid (50 KW capacity minimum) charging stations across the project regions before May 2023 to help ease motorist concerns in respect of the public charging infrastructure provision.  Match-funding for the project has also been provided by the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, the Department for Transport in Ireland and Transport Scotland

 

98% of drivers responding to the public survey reported having regular access to a private vehicle, with over a third of this surveyed currently owning a Battery Electric, Plug In Hybrid or Mild Hybrid vehicle. Key factors influencing survey respondents use of electric vehicles included the performance of the vehicles in comparison to traditional petrol and diesel powered engines, their benefits for the environment and the health of the motorist and the increasing availability of used electric vehicles on the market.

 

However, despite the growth in sales of electric and low emission vehicles in recent months, key concerns remain, particularly around the range and purchase cost of the vehicles. 88% of motorists reflected that the range capabilities of electric vehicles was a major factor in their decision making process. Motorists responding to the survey claimed that they would require vehicles to achieve a range of 240 miles on a single charge, despite findings that the average daily journey of those surveyed was just over 13 miles. The purchase price of electric vehicles when compared to traditionally fuelled vehicles was also of concern to 86% of motorists.

 

The FASTER Project will address concern over public charging infrastructure. 95% of all those questioned as part of the survey believe that the existing public charging infrastructure is insufficient, and infrastructure requirements forecast that up to 700 charging points will need to be installed each day across the UK to support the government’s target of banning the sale of all new petrol and diesel engine vehicles in 2030.

 

Reflecting on the survey results, Donal Monaghan, Faster Project Officer at South West College said:

 

‘This survey provides a very clear demonstration that there is a growing acceptance of electric and low emission vehicles across the programme regions. Motorists are seeing the benefits that these vehicles can bring but there remains a number of barriers affecting electric vehicle uptake, including cost, range anxiety and the current public charging provision.

 

With the role out of the FASTER Project infrastructure supported by a number of educational and awareness building campaigns, the project partners hope that we can alleviate the concerns of motorists and help them recognise that the benefits of electric vehicles will outweigh the challenges referenced.’

 

James Cooper, Transport Research Partners added:

 

“The level of engagement and open discussion supported by this survey will have a tangible effect in understanding and focusing knowledge on electric vehicles and the supporting infrastructure and will provide significant benefits for the FASTER Project and its activities moving forward.”

 

Further information about the FASTER Project is now available at www.fasterevcharge.com

The FASTER Project will provide much needed electric vehicle charging infrastructure with the installation of 73 Rapid Charging Points across Northern Ireland, the border counties of Ireland  and Western Scotland with €6.4 million funding under the EU INTERREG VA Programme, managed by the SEUPB.

 

The project will help to reduce reliance on fossil fuels by encouraging increased use of more environmentally-friendly forms of transport and also seeks to address some of the barriers to greater public uptake of electric vehicles.  It is timely that the FASTER Project is being officially launched on “World EV Day” which is a global movement, a day of celebration of emobility, and a day to shift the transition to sustainable transport with consumer, business and policy outcomes.

 

The FASTER EV charging network will be installed on a phased basis over the next 18 months supported by a series of public awareness and community engagement events, promotional campaigns and initiatives to address public concerns with existing charging infrastructure and producing materials to support the transition to low emission vehicles.

 

The project is being led by East Border Region, a local authority led cross border organization, 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 are also working with a range of Local Authorities across the three jurisdictions to identify suitable locations for this much needed infrastructure which will help revolutionise public charging for Electric Vehicles.

 

Match-funding for the project has also been provided by the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland and the Department for Transport, Tourism and Sport in Ireland.

Welcoming the project the Minister for Infrastructure, Nichola Mallon said:

“I am extremely pleased to be able to deliver match funding to support the FASTER Project in delivering more infrastructure for electric vehicles across these islands.    I am committed to supporting the transition to electric vehicles as part of the wider decarbonisation of transport and to working to help deliver a change in the way we travel that also helps us to tackle the climate crisis.”

 

Welcoming the project, Ireland’s Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan 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 SEUPB and our Partners in the implementation of this project.”

 

Welcoming the project, Scotland’s Minister for Transport Minister Graeme Dey said:

‘I am delighted that Scotland will receive 24 rapid electric vehicle chargers through the FASTER project. It is an excellent example of cross-border collaboration, knowledge sharing, and developing best practice.

“This step supports Scotland’s ambition to phase out the need for new petrol or diesel cars and vans by 2030.

“By continuing to provide access to EV chargers in rural areas and on a cross border basis, we are accelerating the transition to zero emission electric vehicles, helping us collectively respond to the climate emergency and improve air quality.”

 

Outlining the importance of the project, Gina McIntyre Chief Executive of the SEUPB said: “Transport, on both sides of the border, is dominated by car usage, which is only increasing as our population grows. This is not sustainable as the stark realities of irreversible climate change are becoming more and more evident across the world.

 

“This new EU INTERREG VA-funded project will create a readily accessible cross-border infrastructure that will encourage increased use of electric vehicles. It will help to address many of the issues that discourage people from using this form of transport and contribute to a reduction in harmful carbon emissions that have such a negative impact upon our environment. I really look forward to hearing how this very important cross-border partnership progresses over the coming months ahead.”

 

Speaking at the official launch of the FASTER Project, Cllr Kyle Savage Chairman of East Border Region stated: “East Border Region are delighted to be Lead Partner on this innovative project which will provide much needed EV charging infrastructure across the three jurisdictions.  This project clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of cross border collaboration between a range of key stakeholders, and the benefits to be gained by adopting a strategic approach to sustainable  infrastructure development”

 

Further information about the FASTER Project will be available from a dedicated website and social media channels scheduled to launch this September, but until then regular updates will be available from the South West College website and Facebook page.

To view a recording of the launch event please click below.

https://vimeo.com/588923193