Trinity College Dublin (TCD ) together with Atlantic Technological University (ATU ), ESB and Enterprise Car Club has launched the first of four shared eMobility eHubs at Westside Library Car Park at the heart of the decarbonisation zone in Galway City. Additional eHubs will open at sites in Dundrum, Letterkenny and Waterford over the coming months.
The eHub sites will allow people to select the most suitable mode of transport for their needs, aiming to provide a range of shared public travel options. By providing alternative solutions, it will help to encourage people to try different mobility options when travelling to work or getting around the city.
Each of the purpose built eHub sites will include an ESB charge station to charge the shared EVs, as well as one e-cargo bike and four e-bikes. The two shared EVs have been provided by Enterprise Car Club and are available to book by the public for an hour or by the day to suit a range of travel needs.
This project has been funded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland under the SEAI Research, Development & Demonstration Funding Programme 2022 (grant number 22/RDD/840 ) and is being led by Trinity College Dublin.
The eHubs are part of a wider strategy in Ireland to encourage public use of shared transport, help reduce congestion and parking problems in cities, and meet emission targets. Shared mobility is increasingly recognised as a practical solution to the challenges posed by urban development and environmental concerns.
Prof. Brian Caulfield, project lead, from Trinity’s School of Engineering, said this new hub in Galway is one of the first of its kind in Ireland and the first of four to be launched by our project, with others coming in Letterkenny, Waterford and Dublin later in the year.
Donal Phelan, Head of Innovation, ESB Group, said that they continuously strive to explore the potential of new technology to achieve ESB’s Net Zero by 2040 goal through three key objectives: decarbonising energy, building resilient infrastructure and empowering customers to live more sustainably.
Mr Leonard Cleary, Chief Executive, Galway City Council, said this project marks a pivotal moment in our ongoing efforts to address climate change and improve the quality of life for everyone in Galway.
“The electric mobility hub is not only a first for our city but a vital part of our strategy to reduce emissions and promote sustainable mobility solutions as we work toward Ireland’s ambitious climate goals. There may be families or individuals in the city managing the cost of traditional car ownership, or considering purchasing a second car – this pilot gives people a chance to try an e-bike, an e-cargo bike and an electric car to see how these options could play a part in their transport needs – along with the options of public transport and walking – before committing to a purchase. Galway City Council and the people it serves continue to be a leader in Climate Action and this project re-affirms its commitment to positive change and achieving its 2030 Climate action goals.”
Dr Amaya Vega, project partner, ATU School of Business, said this hub represents a new step towards sustainable mobility in our region and we are delighted to be the academic partners, expanding our research capacity in transport, and providing valuable insights into travel behaviour, transport efficiency, and the impact of policy interventions.”
Brendan Grieve, General Manager of Enterprise Mobility Ireland said they are delighted to be part of the roll-out of the mobility hub in Galway and additional hubs across the country in the coming months.
“We are excited to support this project which will provide additional mobility solutions for residents and visitors and allow people to try different types of mobility options that they might not normally have considered or had access to.”
Enterprise Car Club is currently offering a complimentary one-year membership (usually Euro40 ) and Euro10 driving credit for new members with the following link https://www.enterprisecarclub.ie/ESBHub.To book the e-bikes please visit the ROBUST project webpage for more information about the app required.For more information, please visit the ROBUST project webpage.
