Here were the agenda points for the meeting that took place via Zoom on Tuesday 21st March 2023.
Mr. Gerry Cash of EasyGo, an SEAI authorised EV charging point operator, presented the issues, cost models, and other information you needed to know. Gerry presented insightful guidance to the Network in person in 2019.
At this online meeting, we learned about the practicalities and costs of installing EV charging infrastructure in your estate.
1- Gerry Cash’s presentation
Everywhere there is a car park space, they can install a charger point/station. Download the app to get the charger points/stations throughout the country, as seen in the below screenshot.
The support funding options are as follows:
- 60 % through your management company
- 70 % through your Owner’s Management Company (OMC)
- 80 % through a government scheme (whether local or national organisation).
You’ll have to take the payments for the electricity to fill the car. You must monetise this, especially if you let other electric car users use your charging point.
The running costs include call centres, and SIM cards. There are costs associated with running and maintaining the unit to work safely.
For new properties, there is no support whatsoever from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).
EasyGo is looking into getting a long-term agreement of 15–20 years, making chargers available and selling electricity throughout the country. The cost of electricity in apartment development car park spaces will be lower than the ones at public charging points. The ultimate goal is to get as many charging points as possible.
2- Answers to questions raised by participants and Multi-Unit Developments (MUD)
How to operate in allocated car park spaces?
There will be a 25 % extra charge of the actual price to maintain the equipment. People will have to show interest to get a station installed. SEAI will work as a central load point in unit developments.
There can be different loading points at different times of the day. Typically, a charge of an electric car must be done once or twice a week. Once the car is fully charged, you’ll get a notification to plug it out. If you don’t plug out, you’ll be charged extra for overuse of the facility.
Some properties may need to be upgraded if the air grid is stressed. But an air grid can be activated on demand.
How will the cost be allocated to the user?
Every individual user will have to register as a user with the EasyGo app and pay the meter directly to EasyGo. The OMC will be taken out of the equation altogether. Everything will go through the app, the payments, and so on. The one app will allow you to charge in your development block or on the go to wherever you are going. It’s a one-stop shop. You will be charged for what you used. There are two different payment options: pay as you go per charge, or pre-pay and have an amount of credit on the account.
Who owns the charger, and what is the maximum grant available?
It’s EasyGo. EasyGo will apply in the OMC’s name. In order to get the grant, the OMC will have to show proof they paid for it. Then, SEAI will refund a percentage back, and the same for EasyGo.
The grant scheme will depend on the number of apartments, the limit is set to 100 000 Euros.
Common meters are classed as commercial meters. Can this be reassigned to residential meters? What rate would apply?
SEAI will support commercial meters and commercial rates will apply, there is no other way how to go about it. EasyGo needs to go with what SEAI provides them with. Nonetheless, it costs a certain percentage lower than a public meter.
Furthermore, there must be an operator to manage an EV Charger powered to a single apartment. You could charge people for using it through an operator. However, note that an apartment is not designed to plug two loading points.
If the OMC gives authorisation to users/apartment owners for individual charging point installation and usage, what are the consequences in case of accident/injury to an owner?
You are not going to get a charger per space. To run a cable to a fuse box in the apartment is not going to work, it would be impractical and won’t be supported by SEAI. Cables are at high risk of injury, especially if you are a little far away from a loading point. OMC should notify the insurance that such and such apartment has that connection. The insurance company will assess the risks before allocating any individual chargers for apartment.
OMC will be reliable to repair damaged common areas. If it’s only the car, it won’t be the management agency/OMC’s responsibility, but the car owner’s.
Are there any contractual obligations such as exit costs?
With EasyGo, there is an exit/break cost if cut before the 3 years of a contract. If the OMC decides to not renew after 5 years, they will have to pay termination fees as the contract hasn’t ended. After 15 years of the contract, it will be owned by the OMC, and they will be able to choose another provider.
What is the process of changing suppliers?
You’ll need to meet with the city council. However, the EasyGo team is open to talking with people. You can go to your local authority if the developer no longer exists.
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