From facebook
This would be great news.
Fastned like the forecourt layout, which needs a bit more space. So I think they'd have more success with service stations, but they're off doing their own thing
It'd be great if they partnered with Aldi or Super Valu or another supermarket who already has a nationwide network of locations with parking. But I'm not sure that'll suit Fastned
If the Govt are serious about EVs then they should be sending a big chief over to Fastnet and making it clear that Ireland is VERY open for business....
Need seriously professional operators in the Irish market.
Ecars isn't really up for the job....
Need another player to compete with Easygo and/or push Easygo along to better things
Fastned's Netherlands business was built on the back of a competitive bidding process for concessions at state service stations. We've got 6 of them, 3 Applegreen, and 3 operated by CircleK.
The government has so far been very clear on providing diddly squat when it comes to incentivising the operation of charging networks as a public service.
Two sites "planned" in NI for 2023 ish...
I see they're using the unionists map of Ireland 😂
At this rate NI is going to have a better network than ROI soon
Permission has been granted in Banbridge
https://www.plugshare.com/location/577285
It's the pricing competition I'm looking forward to - soon it'll be €1 a kWh from a street charger if not already.
Ionity have lowered prices, I think Tesla did as well. That's gotta put some pressure on the other networks
Tbh, if 70c per kWh is what it takes to run a decent network then so be it. I'd rather that than it falling into disrepair like Ecars did for a long time
There's enough deals out there to lower the price for frequent users
Banbridge quickly becoming the high speed charger capital of Northern Ireland — 4 x at BP Pulse on the Newry Road, 12 x here at the Fastned station, and 4 x more BP Pulse ones coming at the M&S food hall in the same Boulevard shopping place.
The Boulevard will be a great place to stop off on the Dublin to Belfast journey (or the Dublin to Derry journey)
Indeed, the Fastned site with their canopy is great, it will be really visible from the dual carriageway.
Also the press release said they'd be 300kW chargers. The planning application said HYC400 chargers. These are the Alpitronics new models with 100kW power modules. Since the older models with 75kW power modules seem to be no longer for sale then I assume Fastned will install the HYC400 with 3 power modules and leave the last one for a later power upgrade.
400kW chargers now live, 74p /kWh
Outrageous pricing.
some people are looking for a sheltered charging bay.
That’s the cost they must pay.
pretty standard for the UK.
The likes of Maxol and Circle K here (ROI) also charge similar.
How many 74p units will it require to recoup the roughly £1.5 million they spent on this site? They have top spec chargers which dont come cheap, a large canopy which most folk want, and pull through bays which use more land than regular bays. They also have to pay commercial rates on the power, plus demand charges for the massive grid connection, vat, payment charges etc.
They're the same cost as Ionity here as well. Compares well in my view compared to the likes of BP Pulse who charge 85p/kWh.
Yep, standard prices in the north.
Handy spot for the Dublin to Belfast drive — lots of food options around, and the Boulevard right beside it
I see they have a subscription option for €11.99/month, which reduces the price by 30%
Great news, had been using BP in Lisburn and Banbridge but their bank card reader is often not working and they do not allow non UK residents download or use their app. My wife was low % and rescued by a kind Tesla driver who started her charge with his card and would only take whatever small amount of sterling she had on her.
Which begs my question: what options will ROI drivers have to pay for charging here, is contactless standard, can we get their app?
From Facebook
From looking at their app, there's no payment option. So use the payment terminal on the charger, or you can use the Electroverse app
£40 pre auth on credit card touch, which might cause some issues if that is over 50 euros on an ROI card. Using a virtual card on your phone seems to work better in those cases as 50 euro touch limit does not apply.
It looks similar to Ionity, you have direct payment, app or scan code.
I have used Ionity North and South without issue, people might have issues with pre-authorization but I find Revolut works for me.
I was able to set up payment in the app.
Just to fact check you there, 74p/kWh works out at 90c. Cirkle K here are 69c and Maxol are 45c
The 30% discount on the subscription plan brings it to 60c though for regular users
Autocharge is also a feature, explains in the app how to set up
Thats really odd. I went to check again and it still wont let me add a payment card. Just looks for a third party charge card, and wont accept Electroverse card number.
It seems they have a second site due to open in a few weeks
Twelve charging bays will offer electric drivers up to 100 miles of charge in 5 minutes, using 100% renewable energy. Fastned will open its second charging hub in Antrim later in March with a similar offering.Fastned has invested over three million pounds in the purchase and development of the Banbridge and Antrim charging hubs, identifying Northern Ireland as a key growth area due to increasing demand from EV drivers.
Twelve charging bays will offer electric drivers up to 100 miles of charge in 5 minutes, using 100% renewable energy. Fastned will open its second charging hub in Antrim later in March with a similar offering.
Fastned has invested over three million pounds in the purchase and development of the Banbridge and Antrim charging hubs, identifying Northern Ireland as a key growth area due to increasing demand from EV drivers.
https://www.fastnedcharging.com/hq/en/multi-million-pound-investment-strengthens-northern-irelands-electric-vehicle-charging-network
Nice story and pictures from Thomas @IEOVA
https://www.irishevassociation.ie/news/fastned-northern-ireland-launch
Interesting. When I charged at Maxol in Newbridge it was 80c odd from memory. Maybe they reduced their prices. But yes, I will give you I did a 1:1 pence and cents.
Found the second location
https://planningregister.planningsystemni.gov.uk/application/679477
and if I'm not mistaken is here
https://maps.app.goo.gl/fQiL1GiG6vcRmdRw6
That's a very handy location, just a couple of minutes off the M2/M22 motorway and with dual carriageway on the approach to it.
A photo here
