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South Wales Argus
12 hours ago
- Automotive
- South Wales Argus
Newport: Rogerstone residents object to new EV chargers
Rodney Beacham, a resident of Oak Road, said: 'EV charging bays are wide, and we'll clearly lose space we can't afford to lose. 'It's already rammed here. We're going to see fewer spaces, and people from elsewhere could come here to charge in spots we used to park in.' Paul Griffiths, another resident, added: 'It's a ridiculous idea. They've made their decision without thinking about us. 'Parking is already constrained here. If they're encouraging others to park here, where are we going to park?' On the broader rollout, he said: 'Fewer than 100 spaces, what impact will that really have in the context of global carbon emissions? Why are they making our lives difficult just to achieve some token effort?' Newport City Council began installing EV chargers in April 2025 as part of its Net Zero plan. Rogerstone is among the first areas to receive the new infrastructure, with compact chargers fitted into existing streetlights to minimize disruption. The streetlight-style units, installed by Urban Fox, are designed to avoid the need for dedicated bays or pavement space. The council say the chargers will be placed in areas where driveways are scarce, aiming to provide practical options for residents considering electric vehicles. Rogerstone's inclusion reflects the council's goal of equitable access across Newport's communities. While the rollout has been welcomed by some, concerns persist about the impact on parking. Residents worry that converting bays to EV-only use could worsen parking pressures, especially in densely populated streets. The council has not yet released data on how many spaces will be affected throughout the Newport authority area. Chargers are operated by providers such as Dragon Charging and PodPoint. Users can access them via RFID cards or mobile apps, with costs varying by operator. Standard parking fees apply in off-street car parks. Newport also aims to meet national standards for inclusive infrastructure. The rollout in Rogerstone is seen as a step toward making EV ownership more viable for suburban residents. The success of the initiative will depend on balancing convenience, accessibility, and community impact. Newport City Council has stated the charging points will be among the first streetlight-style units installed in Wales. A spokesman said: 'These charging points will be installed on streets where homes lack off-street parking, such as driveways or garages. 'They're ideal for residential areas, allowing us to expand the network without taking up valuable street space.'
South Wales Argus
10-08-2025
- Automotive
- South Wales Argus
Newport City Council installs more electric charging points
A major part of this effort involves expanding public EV infrastructure across the Newport. In April 2025, the council began installing 98 new charging points into existing street lights, specifically targeting streets where residents lack off-street parking such as driveways or garages. These compact chargers, installed by Urban Fox, are among the first streetlight-style units in Wales and allow for network expansion without taking up significant street space. The rollout of EV infrastructure across the UK remains uneven. A recent Freedom of Information request by Compare the Market revealed stark differences between councils. Westminster City Council leads with 2,468 chargers, while Milton Keynes and Birmingham follow with 956 and 613 respectively. Newport's numbers are more modest, and the installation of new chargers has led to some loss of parking spaces, though figures have not yet been publicly disclosed. Public hesitancy around EV adoption remains high and was clearly on display when the Argus spoke to city centre shoppers. Despite the upcoming 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel car sales, 69% of UK drivers still use traditional fuel vehicles. Only 12% currently own a fully electric car, and 13% drive plug-in hybrids. Alarmingly, 47% of drivers are unaware of the 2035 ban, suggesting a lack of urgency in transitioning to cleaner transport. Cost is the biggest barrier. According to Compare the Market's research, over half of drivers say EVs are too expensive, and most would be more likely to buy one if cheaper models were available. Charging infrastructure is another concern. Around 37% of drivers say they would consider switching if more public chargers were available locally, and 30% believe public chargers should be free or subsidised. Nearly half (41%) feel there are not enough incentives, such as grants or tax exemptions, to support the switch. Even current EV owners face challenges. While 59% have installed home chargers, many still rely on public infrastructure. The average EV driver is willing to travel just over five miles to reach a charger, but issues like long wait times, slow charging speeds, and difficulties with payment systems are common. Nearly a third report being blocked by non-EV vehicles parked in charging bays, according to Compare the Market. Newport's chargers are operated by various providers, including Dragon Charging and PodPoint. Users may need a compatible plug-to-plug cable and can access chargers via RFID (Radio Frequency ID) cards or mobile apps. Costs vary by location and operator, and standard parking fees apply in off-street car parks. The council has invested in upgraded software to offer flexible payment options and user-friendly interfaces. Disabled access is also a priority. Newport complies with PAS 1899 (disability accessibility) standards where possible and is home to Wales's first EV WAV (Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle) bay. Maintenance is handled by Silverstone Green Energy, and support is available via phone or email. To help drivers navigate the EV landscape, has launched an electric charging map showing all public chargers in the UK. This tool aims to make EV ownership more accessible and reduce confusion around infrastructure availability. Newport City Council has been asked for comment on the total number of spaces that will be rolled out and how many parking spaces could be lost. For more information, visit the Energy Saving Trust, Dragon Charging.
Yahoo
10-08-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
EV chargers to be fitted onto city streets soon but is Newport getting a fair share?
Newport City Council is charging ahead with plans to boost electric vehicle use, a key step in its climate change plan to hit net zero by 2030. A major part of this effort involves expanding public EV infrastructure across the Newport. In April 2025, the council began installing 98 new charging points into existing street lights, specifically targeting streets where residents lack off-street parking such as driveways or garages. These compact chargers, installed by Urban Fox, are among the first streetlight-style units in Wales and allow for network expansion without taking up significant street space. The rollout of EV infrastructure across the UK remains uneven. A recent Freedom of Information request by Compare the Market revealed stark differences between councils. Westminster City Council leads with 2,468 chargers, while Milton Keynes and Birmingham follow with 956 and 613 respectively. Newport's numbers are more modest, and the installation of new chargers has led to some loss of parking spaces, though figures have not yet been publicly disclosed. Public hesitancy around EV adoption remains high and was clearly on display when the Argus spoke to city centre shoppers. Despite the upcoming 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel car sales, 69% of UK drivers still use traditional fuel vehicles. Only 12% currently own a fully electric car, and 13% drive plug-in hybrids. Alarmingly, 47% of drivers are unaware of the 2035 ban, suggesting a lack of urgency in transitioning to cleaner transport. Cost is the biggest barrier. According to Compare the Market's research, over half of drivers say EVs are too expensive, and most would be more likely to buy one if cheaper models were available. Charging infrastructure is another concern. Around 37% of drivers say they would consider switching if more public chargers were available locally, and 30% believe public chargers should be free or subsidised. Nearly half (41%) feel there are not enough incentives, such as grants or tax exemptions, to support the switch. Even current EV owners face challenges. While 59% have installed home chargers, many still rely on public infrastructure. The average EV driver is willing to travel just over five miles to reach a charger, but issues like long wait times, slow charging speeds, and difficulties with payment systems are common. Nearly a third report being blocked by non-EV vehicles parked in charging bays, according to Compare the Market. Newport's chargers are operated by various providers, including Dragon Charging and PodPoint. Users may need a compatible plug-to-plug cable and can access chargers via RFID (Radio Frequency ID) cards or mobile apps. Costs vary by location and operator, and standard parking fees apply in off-street car parks. The council has invested in upgraded software to offer flexible payment options and user-friendly interfaces. Disabled access is also a priority. Newport complies with PAS 1899 (disability accessibility) standards where possible and is home to Wales's first EV WAV (Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle) bay. Maintenance is handled by Silverstone Green Energy, and support is available via phone or email. To help drivers navigate the EV landscape, has launched an electric charging map showing all public chargers in the UK. This tool aims to make EV ownership more accessible and reduce confusion around infrastructure availability. Newport City Council has been asked for comment on the total number of spaces that will be rolled out and how many parking spaces could be lost. For more information, visit the Energy Saving Trust, Dragon Charging.
Irish Independent
18-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Irish cybersecurity firms up with best in world at San Francisco showcase
Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting Irish-owned companies to start, compete, scale and connect, including companies in the cyber-security sector, an industry that has experienced significant growth in recent years. Cyber security-focused companies generate around €2.7bn in revenue annually and employ over 8,000 people nationwide, according to the CSO. A number of Irish cyber-security companies which Enterprise Ireland is proud to support recently attended San Francisco's RSAC Conference, the world's leading cyber-security conference. The RSAC has an established reputation for fostering growth, collaboration, and innovation, making it a must-attend event for anyone in the cybersecurity industry. The significant Irish participation this year reflects Ireland's growing influence in this global landscape highlighting the country's commitment to advancing secure and reliable digital solutions. At the 'Cyber Entrepreneurship Summit', a full-day in-person masterclass-style event, Enterprise Ireland representatives discussed Ireland's dynamic cyber ecosystem and Irish attendees and generative AI specialists UrbanFox participated in Startup Showcase, a sandbox-style pitching competition. This recognition reflects the advanced tech capabilities and innovation that Irish companies bring to the global stage. Other Enterprise Ireland-supported companies that participated included Dublin-based Waratek, a leader in the next significant shift toward proactive security platforms, Vaultree which is revolutionising data security by providing cutting-edge encryption solutions, and Tines, the latest Irish tech unicorn that delivers an automation platform that enables security teams to automate repetitive workloads, making them more effective and efficient. Enterprise Ireland has a network of 42 international offices, seven in the US, including an office and team on the ground in San Francisco. The RSAC also provided an important opportunity for Enterprise Ireland's team there to bring key stakeholders together from across the network in-market to showcase Ireland's cyber innovation, by hosting Ireland's Cyber Reception at Ireland House in San Francisco. Irish participants included Triangle Computer Services, Corrata, Edgescan, Threatscape &Daon and this event showcased our growing strengths and cutting-edge contributions to the global cybersecurity landscape. Enterprise Ireland's presence at RSAC follows a successful showing of Irish cybersecurity companies at the InCyber Forum in early April. Held in Lille, France, the event is Europe's leading event for digital security and trust. The participation of these Irish-owned companies at these two marquee events is testament to the strength and dynamism of the Irish cybersecurity sector. It also reflects our commitment to fostering innovation and supporting the growth of high-potential companies. As these companies engage with global industry leaders, they not only enhance their own capabilities but also contribute to the broader goal of making the digital world a safer place. Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting Irish businesses to start, compete, scale and connect, and our new five-year strategy 'Delivering for Ireland, Leading Globally' outlines our ambitious targets for the Irish enterprise base which aims to support more Irish companies to achieve greater scale through international growth. Enterprise Ireland's objective is to 'Accelerate Sustainable Irish Business', and it is our long-term ambition that exporting Irish companies will become the primary driver of the Irish economy. For more information about how Enterprise Ireland can help your cybersecurity business identify and access supports and opportunities, visit Anna-Marie Turley is Enterprise Ireland's head of Fintech, Financial Services & Cybersecurity
