Latest news with #publicinfrastructure
BreakingNews.ie
5 days ago
- Automotive
- BreakingNews.ie
ESB raises public EV charging prices with further increases likely in October
ESB's e-Cars electric car charging subsidiary has announced that it's increasing the cost of charging an electric car using public infrastructure by 7c per kWh on all of its plans. The semi-state company has said that the price increases come 'in response to sustained increases in operational costs and electricity network charges absorbed by ESB e-Cars in recent months. The new pricing supports continued investment in the public EV charging network and the rollout of high power chargers, ensuring a robust and future-ready EV charging infrastructure.' Advertisement It went on to say: 'ESB remains committed to offering service and value to its customers. The new prices will remain competitive in the marketplace, particularly for customers using fast and high-power chargers.' Those prices will likely rise again in October. Currently, public EV charging enjoys a reduced nine per cent VAT rate, but this is set to return to the standard 13.5 per cent VAT rate on October 31st this year. The price increases now mean that electric car users will pay 59c per kWh for slow 7-22kW AC charging, 64c per kWh for faster 50-150kW DC charging, and 66c per kWh for very fast DC charging above 150kW. Notably, you pay the same for each charging speed regardless of the actual charging power delivered to your car's battery on a given day, which is variable depending on the condition of the battery, the power that's actually reaching the charging point from the grid, and the local ambient temperature. Advertisement Those prices are for the 'Pay As You Go' plan, but they can be defrayed somewhat by signing up for the ESB's monthly subscription, which costs €4.79 per month. This brings down the cost of charging to 54c per kWh for slow chargers, 59c per kWh for fast chargers, and 61c per kWh for very fast chargers. These are not the most expensive prices for public charging. IONITY charges 73c per kWh, without a subscription, for its very fast 350kW chargers, but that can be reduced to just 53c per kWh with a €5.99 monthly subscription. The increase in ESB e-Car's charging costs means that EV drivers will pay more for each top-up. Taking the best-selling electric car of the moment, the VW ID.4, and assuming that it's the model with the 77kWh battery, it means that you will pay €40 for a 10-100 per cent top up from a slow kerbside charger, €34 for a 10-80 per cent charge from a fast charger, and €37 for a 10-80 per cent charge from a very fast charger. There has been no change to the 'overstay' fees, which penalises drivers who need to get a longer, fuller charge and which costs 50c per minute apply after 45 minutes of charge on fast and high power chargers, and after 10 hours of charge on standard charge points, up to a maximum penalty of €22.50. Advertisement The overstay fee has often been referred to as a tacit admission that there are not enough charging points in the country, as it encourages drivers to charge and move along, freeing up the charging point. The increase in prices for public charging comes at a time of fraught debate about those without access to off-street parking where they can install a home charging point. The best current night time rate for electricity stands at 7c per kWh, albeit this is usually only available for around four hours at times of minimal demand on the network. Dublin City Council (DCC) has come in for criticism of late for forcing homeowners with no off-street parking to remove 'charging arms' which guide charging cables up and over pedestrian's heads for kerbside charging. DCC has consistently refused to reply to queries as to its official policy when it comes to providing solutions for those who want to switch to electric motoring but who don't have off-street parking. Advertisement Cork City Council, however, did reply to such questions, stating that: 'It is planned to roll out the planned electric vehicle charging infrastructure on a phased basis in line with the projected growth in electric vehicles on our roads. It is likely the first tranche of infrastructure will be in place in 2026. The strategy does not make provision to allow private electric vehicle charging cables either in pavement or overhead to be installed across public footpaths or roads to facilitate home charging.'
The Independent
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Suella Braverman criticises plans to house asylum seekers in former shop
Former home secretary Suella Braverman has labelled Home Office plans to house asylum seekers in Hampshire in a site formerly used as a Peacocks store as 'utterly inappropriate'. In a letter to Yvette Cooper, the Labour secretary of state, the Conservative MP for Fareham and Waterlooville described the proposal for the site in London Road, Waterlooville, as 'insulting to local people'. She wrote: 'This plan will dump further pressure on policing, healthcare and public infrastructure, all while ignoring the legitimate concerns of residents who have been left voiceless. 'Our town has undergone a transformation and become a welcoming place to work, invest, shop, dine and play. Decisions such as yours will once again make our town centres no-go zones for the patriotic, common-sense majority.' The MP, who has started a petition against the proposal, also stated on her website: 'This site, in the centre of our town, is utterly inappropriate for migrant accommodation. It must be stopped.' A spokesman for Havant Borough Council said the local authority had not initially been consulted on the plans after Clearsprings, a procurement company employed by the Home Office for the project, had used an 'incorrect email address' in a bid to contact the council and had not followed up when it had not received a response. The council has now been granted a 10-day consultation period on the proposals and the Labour leader Phil Munday is to meet with the Home Office. He said: 'Combined with my imminent Home Office meeting, everything is being done to ensure our voice is heard whilst dealing with a challenge being felt nationally. I look forward to the council providing a response that reflects the concerns of the borough.' Mr Munday also criticised Ms Braverman for referring to asylum seekers as 'illegal migrants' on her website. He said: 'They are categorically not recognised by the state as illegal immigrants – regardless of the headline-grabbing title of Suella Braverman's petition – and I urge people to consider this in their views and actions.' A Home Office spokeswoman said it was in 'active dialogue' with the local authority and added: 'We are working to fairly disperse asylum seekers across the country, consulting closely with local authorities and listening to local concerns.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Suella Braverman criticises plans to house asylum seekers in former shop
Former home secretary Suella Braverman has labelled Home Office plans to house asylum seekers in Hampshire in a site formerly used as a Peacocks store as 'utterly inappropriate'. In a letter to Yvette Cooper, the Labour secretary of state, the Conservative MP for Fareham and Waterlooville described the proposal for the site in London Road, Waterlooville, as 'insulting to local people'. She wrote: 'This plan will dump further pressure on policing, healthcare and public infrastructure, all while ignoring the legitimate concerns of residents who have been left voiceless. 'Our town has undergone a transformation and become a welcoming place to work, invest, shop, dine and play. Decisions such as yours will once again make our town centres no-go zones for the patriotic, common-sense majority.' The MP, who has started a petition against the proposal, also stated on her website: 'This site, in the centre of our town, is utterly inappropriate for migrant accommodation. It must be stopped.' A spokesman for Havant Borough Council said the local authority had not initially been consulted on the plans after Clearsprings, a procurement company employed by the Home Office for the project, had used an 'incorrect email address' in a bid to contact the council and had not followed up when it had not received a response. The council has now been granted a 10-day consultation period on the proposals and the Labour leader Phil Munday is to meet with the Home Office. He said: 'Combined with my imminent Home Office meeting, everything is being done to ensure our voice is heard whilst dealing with a challenge being felt nationally. I look forward to the council providing a response that reflects the concerns of the borough.' Mr Munday also criticised Ms Braverman for referring to asylum seekers as 'illegal migrants' on her website. He said: 'They are categorically not recognised by the state as illegal immigrants – regardless of the headline-grabbing title of Suella Braverman's petition – and I urge people to consider this in their views and actions.' A Home Office spokeswoman said it was in 'active dialogue' with the local authority and added: 'We are working to fairly disperse asylum seekers across the country, consulting closely with local authorities and listening to local concerns.'
Malay Mail
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Works minister defends JKR against criticism over deadly UPSI bus crash, calls for focus on service delivery
KUALA NERUS, July 14 — Public Works Department (JKR) personnel have been reminded not to succumb to negative perceptions or criticism, especially on social media, but instead to remain committed to upholding integrity and professionalism in delivering the best services to the people. Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the ministry and JKR often face ongoing criticism. He said such criticism tends to arise during incidents involving public infrastructure and the loss of lives, such as the recent fatal accident that claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students along the East-West Highway (JRTB) in Gerik, Perak last month. 'We mourn as well, but we are often blamed even when the causes vary depending on the situation... like in the bus accident in Gerik last month, some claimed that the bus overturned and the guardrail pierced through the body of the bus, causing the fatalities. '... but in reality, the bus was speeding and overturned, landing on the guardrail. This is the actual fact that the public may not know or has been twisted to make it seem as though the guardrail itself was highly dangerous. While there may indeed be some danger in the current design, alternative designs have not yet been implemented. So we will review other design options later,' he said. He said this after officiating the 2025 Senior Officers Conference (SOC) for JKR Malaysia here today. Also present were Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, JKR Director-General Datuk Roslan Ismail, and Terengganu JKR director Ir Dr Hasli Ibrahim. Nanta added that despite swift response and mitigation measures taken by JKR, certain issues and complaints, especially involving roads, continue to be sensationalised or used as 'ammunition' by netizens. Therefore, he called on all JKR personnel to rise above the criticism and continue to prove their worth to the public by delivering services with full dedication and transparency in order to dispel all accusations. Some 400 senior JKR officers from across the country, including top management, district engineers, and cadre officers, are attending the three-day SOC 2025 conference beginning today. Themed 'JKR Mampan: Memacu Kelestarian Madani', the annual conference serves as a platform for critical thinking and unity among senior JKR officers aimed at improving service delivery in a sustainable and holistic manner. — Bernama
Malay Mail
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Works Minister defends JKR against criticism over Gerik accident, calls for focus on service delivery
KUALA NERUS, July 14 — Public Works Department (JKR) personnel have been reminded not to succumb to negative perceptions or criticism, especially on social media, but instead to remain committed to upholding integrity and professionalism in delivering the best services to the people. Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the ministry and JKR often face ongoing criticism. He said such criticism tends to arise during incidents involving public infrastructure and the loss of lives, such as the recent fatal accident that claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students along the East-West Highway (JRTB) in Gerik, Perak last month. 'We mourn as well, but we are often blamed even when the causes vary depending on the situation... like in the bus accident in Gerik last month, some claimed that the bus overturned and the guardrail pierced through the body of the bus, causing the fatalities. '... but in reality, the bus was speeding and overturned, landing on the guardrail. This is the actual fact that the public may not know or has been twisted to make it seem as though the guardrail itself was highly dangerous. While there may indeed be some danger in the current design, alternative designs have not yet been implemented. So we will review other design options later,' he said. He said this after officiating the 2025 Senior Officers Conference (SOC) for JKR Malaysia here today. Also present were Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, JKR Director-General Datuk Roslan Ismail, and Terengganu JKR director Ir Dr Hasli Ibrahim. Nanta added that despite swift response and mitigation measures taken by JKR, certain issues and complaints, especially involving roads, continue to be sensationalised or used as 'ammunition' by netizens. Therefore, he called on all JKR personnel to rise above the criticism and continue to prove their worth to the public by delivering services with full dedication and transparency in order to dispel all accusations. Some 400 senior JKR officers from across the country, including top management, district engineers, and cadre officers, are attending the three-day SOC 2025 conference beginning today. Themed 'JKR Mampan: Memacu Kelestarian Madani', the annual conference serves as a platform for critical thinking and unity among senior JKR officers aimed at improving service delivery in a sustainable and holistic manner. — Bernama
