Tesla Supercharger network in Ireland

theevguy

I thought they were open to non Tesla too but when I put in my make and model (Kia ev9) nothing shows up apart from the UK

I own a model 3 too.

Do they discriminate against what make of a car you have because they are showing and nothing available to my KIA on Ireland.

theevguy

Screenshot_20250611-005218.png

Actually I stand corrected. Showing up now.

How in the name of God is Castlebellingham not open to non Tesla. 16 stalls between each side and almost never more than 2 or 3 being used. Mental.

AndyBoBandy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123532850#Comment_123532850

it’s not open because Applegreen we’re gonna kick Tesla out once their lease expired, but Tesla agreed a deal to remain there on condition the Superchargers wouldn’t be opened to non Tesla (which would be in even more direct competition with Applegreen)… same in Birdhill.

Red Silurian

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123533044#Comment_123533044

To be very clear, we don't know that for certain, but it's a decent guess.

AG operating a monopoly could be illegal under consumer protection rules so it might be worth reaching out to the regulator to get it changed

wassie

How exactly is AG operating monopoly?

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123533112#Comment_123533112

They threw out the Ecars chargers shortly after they opened their own one (emphasis on the one)

As for consumer protection, the ECJ has already ruled in favour of the franchise holder in Germany

https://www.electrive.com/2025/04/29/legal-dispute-over-fast-chargers-fastned-loses-case-against-autobahn-gmbh-at-ecj/

wassie

Thanks - really good article to explain legal principles behind the concession contract.

The reality, it is essentially an extension of the fact you can only purchase 1 brand of fuel, which I can understand from AG commercial viewpoint. They have an investment and want to maximize the return - even if its to the detriment of EV owners.

There are probably various models that could also work. If they allowed (assuming they had capacity) a superhub to be built by others, this could dramatically increase footfall in their retail components where Im sure they have good margins.

I wonder if these concession contracts would restrict the Govt in allowing a new EV only online motorway facility.

AndyBoBandy

Given also that Tesla Supercharging is much cheaper than Applegreen charging (even for non Tesla's), if Castlebellingham was opened up, that site would never be viable for Applegreen to offer their own charging.. I'm just surprised they haven't put in a few more of their own units at least as they are busy sites!! I've often been sat there charging with 1-2 other Tesla's.. looking at 2-3 cars queuing up to use the other chargers..

It's probably down to Tesla's being a fairly high proportion of EV's on the roads, so for AG, that site isn't targeting 100% of EV drivers like most of their other sites..

AndyBoBandy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123533301#Comment_123533301

EV only online motorway facility

Slightly off topic, but I'm driving to Lithuania in a few weeks, for a few weeks, and if we decide to drive to Vilnius from where we are on the coast, I'll be stopping into this EV only services along the way..

AndyBoBandy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123533504#Comment_123533504

https://www.plugshare.com/location/733226

did something crazy on that last post and can't fix it!! here's the EV only services (and I'd be bypassing a Supercharger to use it)

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123533301#Comment_123533301

Yeah it seems to be pretty much that, once you have the concessions then it's largely up to the retailer what businesses they allow in

I'm not sure we're at the point where we can support large EV only charging hubs. We just don't really have the volume of traffic that other European countries have

I would like to see more DC charging going into locations that aren't your typical motorway services. I stopped at Johnstown Estate recently for a quick top up and it's now my favourite charging spot

My only complaint was that the car charged too fast and I didn't get to enjoy my coffee more 😂

KCross

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123533715#Comment_123533715

My only complaint was that the car charged too fast and I didn't get to enjoy my coffee more

The AC chargers next to them are 11kW capable and free…. drink all the coffee you like!

dsandson

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123533470#Comment_123533470

Applegreen electric in GB are now installing 12-18 bay sites using Power Electronics hardware, similar to the Kempower chargers. They clearly know how to install a decent hub. I suspect the issue with only installing 1 charger has partially to do with getting enough power to a relatively remote site, plus the recent LEVI hub project. They were unsuccessful in that, and they probably waited to see the outcome.

ePower won the only site on the M1, north of Drogheda at Ballymascanlon.

DelBoy Trotter

Are the Tesla chargers open to non Tesla cars in Birdhill? I’ll probably be passing by on Saturday, but I’m seeing conflicting reports on whether I can use them or not

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123533809#Comment_123533809

I was also driving home from work, so I didn't want to hang around that long 😅

wassie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123533516#Comment_123533516

Imagine charging in the rain in Ireland and not getting wet…..

prawnsambo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123534171#Comment_123534171

I know what you mean, but you can always get in the car y'know. 🤣

crl84

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123533174#Comment_123533174

But Tesla is still there. So no monopoly.

And if they did remove them at the end of the contract, that would mean that there's just AG chargers there, no different to many other AG locations with only their own charger. Or Circle K stations with only Circle K chargers. Or other locations where the landowner only has one provider.

No different than petrol/diesel stations?

browne_rob5

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123533967#Comment_123533967

They are not. You can download the Tesla app and see where you can charge your non Tesla.

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123534196#Comment_123534196

Partial monopoly since those are Tesla only chargers. They still have a monopoly on other EVs

I'd say it was a combination of AG knowing they were behind on their rollout and not wanting to lose the business of Tesla drivers stopping for a coffee

It probably helps that Tesla are likely paying a fair bit of rent on those spaces

AndyBoBandy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123534196#Comment_123534196

And this is why Tesla will never get near a forecourt again in Ireland…. which is probably a good thing, despite it probably being also slightly more inconvenient having to go offline to a retail park/hotel for a charge, though Ireland is probably just the right size to make it work.. I know when I've done long drives that involved 4-5 different Supercharger stops in a day, the closer they were to the motorways the better in most cases! for example,

• Enfield = Fine… (Netherlands/Germany mostly like this)
• Athenry = not great…. always feels just a little bit too far offline
• Flint, U.K. = terrible.. I found a lot like that in France, in hotels a good bit offline.

It's no wonder when I go across Europe again in a few weeks I'm avoiding France altogether this time, and replacing it with crossing the U.K. instead (avoiding poxy Flint though!) and going straight to Holland.

MojoMaker

Enfield - great

Ballacolla - great

Birdhill - great

Mahon Point - bit of a faff

Athenry - bit of a faff

Castlebellingham - great

Sandyford - definitely a faff

wassie

To be fair the Athenry site is next to the interchange of the M6 & M17/M18 which is handy for both east/west or north/south travellers.

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123534599#Comment_123534599

Flint Mountain is a bit of a weird paradox. It's a pain to get to from the A55, but it's a nice spot to be stuck for 20 mins

It's certainly better than the Osprey hub behind the dodgy looking truck stop (Billy Jeans)

I think a bit part of the problem is that motorway services are just so bad

I know they'll never be as nice as a 5 star hotel on a country estate, but is it too much to hope that they clean the place, and fix all the broken stuff or maybe serve some food that isn't primarily grease

slave1

I had micro stops in Castlebellingham N and S yesterday, pulled full 129kW continuous in precondtioned Highland RWD so they are excellent location for me heading up North in Belfast direction.

My only piece is advice is the parking area of both Castlebellinghams had subsided a lot over the years whereas the walking routes have no so be very slow going over those walkways in a low lying EV

wassie

Absolute sh!tshow for anyone charging at Athenry this evening. Some event (possibly a wedding) on at the Raheen Woods Hotel.

7 out of 8 bays ICEd.

mfceiling

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123554909#Comment_123554909

Report that to Tesla and to the hotel.

wassie

Yep - already reported on the app. Will email the hotel but wouldnt hold much hope.

IMHO only way to sort this nonsense is to have a clamping policy. But the hotel has a potential conflict of interest between the EV users and ICE owners who are guests in the hotel (and most likely far more profitable).

I would guess the hotel has some sort of contractual obligation to maintain the spaces that Tesla might remind them of.

josip

Colin Burke isn't doing his Electrical business any favours with parking like that.

https://www.colinburkeelectrical.com/

MojoMaker

Emailing the hotel isn't going to do any good. You would walk in there and ask for the manager on the spot.

That's ridiculous behaviour - and they have an underground car park there and all (don't they?).

Athenry my second least favourite SC site in the country after Mahon Point, and it should be one of the best with the recent expansion.