New eMobility eHub launched in Waterford City

Ireland's newest 'eMobility eHub' was officially launched in Waterford recently.

The event took place in Ballybricken and the hub is the third of Ireland's four shared eMobility eHubs to be launched.

Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan officially launched the hub alongside Waterford City and County Council’s Director of Service Gabriel Hynes, representatives of Trinity College Dublin, ESB Enterprise Car Club and the Council’s Climate and Active Travel staff.

The Ballybricken location was also significant as the eHub is located in the heart of the decarbonisation zone in Waterford City.

Additional eHubs are open at sites in Galway and Letterkenny with the fourth, in Dundrum, set to open over the coming months.

A spokesperson for Waterford City & County Council said the eHub sites will allow people to select the most suitable mode of transport for their needs, aiming to provide a range of shared public travel options. 

By providing alternative solutions, it will help to encourage people to try different mobility options when travelling to work or getting around the city.

While maintaining a car can cost up to €10,000 each year, the eHub will provide a more cost-effective alternative for people who may need access to a car, but don’t need to use a vehicle every day. Each of the purpose built eHub sites includes an ESB charge station to charge the shared EVs, as well as one e-cargo bike and four e-bikes.

The two shared EVs have been provided by Enterprise Car Club and are available to book by the public for an hour or by the day to suit a range of travel needs.

This project, which is being led by Trinity College, was funded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland under the SEAI Research, Development & Demonstration Funding Programme 2022.

The Council spokesperson said the eHubs are part of a wider strategy in Ireland to encourage public use of shared transport, help reduce congestion and parking problems in cities and meet emission targets. 

Shared mobility is also increasingly recognised as a practical solution to the challenges posed by urban development and environmental concerns.

Gabriel Hynes, Director of Service for Roads, Environment and Water in Waterford City and County Council said: “This eHub will provide the residents of Waterford City Centre with an alternative to private car or e-bike ownership. We see eHubs and Car Clubs in particular as being a key part of reducing the City’s traffic as we hope that each electric car or bike made available in the eHub means that multiple private households do not have to invest in a private car."

Prof. Brian Caulfield, project lead, from Trinity’s School of Engineering also commented on the initiative and said: “Our research will examine how these hubs can offer an alternative to private car ownership at each of our four testbeds and we will also measure the emissions, cost and time savings from using these shared mobility options at each of the hubs.”

Meanwhile, Donal Phelan, Head of Innovation, ESB Group, added: “We continuously strive to explore the potential of new technology to achieve ESB’s Net Zero by 2040 goal through three key objectives: decarbonising energy, building resilient infrastructure and empowering customers to live more sustainably."

"Our commitment to sustainability and innovation is at the heart of this eMobility Hub pilot," he said.

"Working with key partners to deliver this pilot ensures that we are collectively working towards a cleaner, greener, and more connected urban future.” 

Enterprise Car Club is currently offering a complimentary one-year membership (usually €40) and €10 driving credit for new members with the following link https://www.enterprisecarclub.ie/ESBHub.

For more information or to download the app to book the e-bikes, visit the ROBUST project webpage.

Funded by the Local Democracy Scheme