Circle K & IONITY To Further Grow Charger Network
Circle K and IONITY have announced the latest expansion of high-power EV chargers across the Irish network. IONITY will be increasing the number of high-power charging stations at six Circle K sites across the country including Athlone, Co. Westmeath; Gorey, Co. Wexford; City North, Co. Meath; Cashel, Co. Tipperary; and Kill North, and Kill South, Co. Kildare.
At least two additional high-power chargers will be added at each site (four at City North), increasing the number of chargers available to customers at each location to six between November 2023 and the first quarter of 2024. This expansion will bring the total number of IONITY rapid EV chargers at Circle K forecourts to 36. IONITY chargers have a charging capacity of up to 350kW and provide 100% green energy, so travelling with IONITY is emission-free and truly carbon neutral.
With EVs at the heart of the Irish Government’s plans to decarbonise the transport sector, as outlined in the Electric Vehicles Charging Infrastructure Strategy 2022 – 2025, Circle K is committed to supporting this strategy. As well as continuing its strategic partnerships with IONITY, ESB and Tesla, the business is committed to the enhancing of its own EV charging network and growing its own EV charging infrastructure nationwide.
In the coming 18 months, Circle K will be expanding the rollout of its own branded EV chargers across 30 new sites. This represents an investment of €7 million, which will add to its existing EV charging network across 44 service stations. Circle K is committed to offering quick and easy charging solutions to support Irish customers as they make the transition to EVs. A significant challenge facing Circle K, and the wider industry, in supporting this transition is the high cost and extremely slow pace of delivery in securing grid connection.
As part of its €7 million investment, Circle K EV chargers are now open at Circle K Fermoy Junction 14 M8, Circle K Carlow Junction 5 M9 and Circle K Athlone M6. The installation of four new charging locations has also been completed at Circle K’s forecourts in Westview, Artane and Ashtown in Co Dublin and Gallowshill in Co Waterford. Chargers in these four new locations are currently awaiting power connection, following which they will be available to customers.
At a global level, electrification is a key strategic priority for Circle K and the ambition is to be the leading destination for EV charging facilities. Ireland has access to the very latest thinking and key developments on EV charging, especially from Circle K colleagues in Norway who are leading the way in terms of electrification.
Jonathan Diver, Fuels Director with Circle K Ireland commented:
“Our partnership with IONITY and the latest expansion announced today emphasise Circle K's commitment to strengthening our EV charging offering to our customers. With the growing preference for EVs among Irish motorists, Circle K is actively adapting to meet this changing landscape, preparing for the future now and beyond.
Despite the challenges posed by the high costs and lengthy lead times in securing a grid connection, our team is working hard to provide more high-power charging points for customers throughout the country. We will continue to engage with the relevant stakeholders to try and bring these important services to the market quicker to meet the needs of our current and future EV customers, and call for the introduction of grant support for EV infrastructure developments, especially considering extremely high costs in securing a grid connection.
These efforts align with our commitment to adapting to the evolving landscape of EV preferences among Irish motorists, a sustainable and electrified future for our customers. Our €7 million investment ensuring in EV chargers at 30 company-owned sites over the next 18 months is part of this broader vision, leveraging our global network's expertise and local insights.”
IONITY’s Country Manager of the UK and Ireland, Andreas Atkins commented:
“Seeing our partnership with Circle K go from strength to strength shows our continued commitment to building a compressive charging infrastructure across Ireland, the UK and the rest of Europe. We are proud to provide high-power charging that is 100% green to our customers across Ireland, at speed and with reliability.
The expansion of our charging hubs, supports the Irish Government’s decarbonisation plans, but it also means that EV drivers across Ireland can travel at ease, without concern for long waiting times, and providing the ability to charge at speed, whilst taking advantage of the Circle K facilities.”
