Tesla Motors plans electric car supercharge station in Tipp
US tech guru Elon Musk wants to build four superchargers, eight chargeposts, and a MV substation at the Applegreen Birdhill Service Station, Lacknavea, Birdhill.
Tesla plans to open an electric vehicle (EV) sales outlet in this country next year, and four supercharging stations are expected to be rolled out in tandem around the country.
The stations allow Tesla EVs to be quickly charged — and for free. A Tesla Model S can travel up to 270km on a 30-minute charge.
A Tesla map published earlier this year had indicated the supercharging stations would be in Dublin, Cork, Galway, and Belfast.
A new Tesla Model X will cost €83,100, while the Model S car will start at €64,300. The lower-cost Model 3 is expected to become available next year at around €32,000.
The superchargers can tell the driver the fastest route to the next supercharger station if it judges the driver will need another charge before he or she reaches their destination.
So far, just three imported Tesla cars are registered in Ireland, but this figure is expected to increase.
There is up to €5,000 in tax relief available for the purchase of EVs in this country and they can be taxed for just €120.
One in five new cars sold here must be electric within four years if we are to reach the country’s renewable energy targets, according to the Sustainable Energy Authority.
The State had set a target that electric vehicles would account for 20% of all new car sales by 2020 which would mean around 50,000 EVs. It is widely considered the figure is unlikely to be achieved.
Last year, electric car sales accounted for 0.23% of all new car sales, or 562 vehicles.
Tesla EVs can also charge from ESB charging points too. However, ESB charging points are just 50kW compared to the 135kW of the supercharger.
The planning application can be viewed at Tipperary County Council offices.
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