Description:

Project between NI, Ireland & Scotland to install EV rapid charge points in the Interreg VA programme area. The FASTER Project (Facilitating a Sustainable Transition to Ev’s in the Regions) is a joint proposal across Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland to support the overarching ambition to transition to low carbon transport systems and to demonstrate how the three countries can provide early systems learning in relation to the electrification of transport. As well as the physical rollout of 73 charging stations the project will assist the cross-border analysis of the planning and procurement requirements needed to kick start a commercial charging service in the three jurisdictions. A common policy ambition across Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland is to transition to a low carbon transport system between now and 2040. At the centre of this common ambition is the electrification of transport with the primary focus on private transport which accounts for the majority of the sectoral emissions. The respective Government policies have set targets for the phasing out of internal combustion engines in the next decades and are providing incentives for the take up of electric vehicles. This form of transport is particularly suitable for Scotland and the island of Ireland as road journeys are short in comparison to other European driving and there is an abundance of local natural resources available in the three jurisdictions to power the electricity system. One of the main barriers to the take up of these vehicles is the lack of public charging infrastructure and fast charging locations in particular. FASTER will ensure that the availability of charging stations is not a major obstacle to Electric Vehicle (EV) market penetration with the proposal to carry out the design and analysis, procurement, installation and operation of 73 Rapid Chargers (50KW capacity) across the 3 programme countries. It will also provide an additional supportive, enabling environment for suppliers and consumers and provide increased confidence and reassurance in regional commitment to the emerging EV market. This will assist in reducing our dependency on oil which has significant benefits: increasing fuel diversification improves national energy security; utilising greener alternatives reduces polluting emissions; and promoting renewable fuels can help stimulate the regions indigenous energy sector. The FASTER Project has 6 work packages as follows; Management – The overall programme management and administration of the FASTER Project (WP Leader – East Border Region Communication – Communicating the processes, procurements and project milestones 4 Technical work packages as follows;

• T1. To carry out the research and to develop an outline design and the needs analysis required across the 3 programme countries for EV Fast Chargers. To identify sites and develop a technical and operational plan that will form the basis of a central procurement for 73 fast chargers).
• T2 To design and run the procurement for the detailed design, installation, operation and maintenance of the EV Fast Charging infrastructure to ensure interoperability across the regions and integration with existing infrastructures and to select the preferred supplier/suppliers for the three jurisdictions
•  T3 To oversee the installation and operation (including long term sustainable financial solutions to ensure the vehicles ultimately generate an income and make these 73 chargers commercially viable with an exit strategy for the handover of the infrastructure to a commercial operator. (The commercial operator will be appointed as a result of the initial Procurement process)
• T4 To run a behaviour change and awareness programme in parallel to ensure adequate promotion and usage of the new fast chargers in all three jurisdictions. As the EV sector is a growing sector it is recognised that the initial investment in alternative infrastructure is considered costly, however the proposal will demonstrate that the infrastructure will yield dividends in the longer term; enabling the countries to adapt more quickly to the developing market, and actively setting the countries on the right path to decarbonisation and cleaner air. The proposal is aligned with the three country strategies for alternative infrastructure and this project will demonstrate the regional benefits of cross border and enter country co-operation in this sector.