Kildare County Council asked to outline process relating to electric vehicles

Kildare County Council (KCC) issued a lengthy response to a query from a councillor relating to electric vehicles (EVs).

The matter was raised by Social Democrats Cllr Nuala Killeen at the latest Celbridge-Leixlip Municipal District meeting, which was held on Friday, March 21 last.

Cllr Killeen, who appeared at the meeting by virtual means, asked KCC: "Can the council confirm what the current process is to enable a household to install a pedestal charger for an electric car in a designated parking space and an undesignated parking space in housing estates, which would involve cables being run under the public footpath?"

In a report submitted to the councillors present at the meeting, KCC explained that the current legal position in Ireland is that only the ESB can own an electricity distribution or transmission system.

Social Democrats Cllr Nuala Killeen. Photo credit: kildarecoco.ie

KCC also noted in the report that 'private wires' refers to private individuals or undertakings running their own electricity cables in order to transfer electricity. However, KCC added that 'private wires' are currently prohibited.

"The installation of pedestal chargers connecting back to a private supply is deemed to be a 'private wire' and therefore currently prohibited," KCC said. " The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications on August 18, 2023 launched a public consultation on 'private wires' and this consultation closed on October 13, 2023."

"Zero Emission Vehicle Ireland made a submission relating to EV charging infrastructure as part of that consultation process and we await the outcome of that process," KCC concluded.

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