Frustration at lack of EV charging points in Laois towns
Main Street, Stradbally
COUNCILLORS were charged up at the recent Graiguecullen/Portarlington municipal district meeting over the lack of EV charging points in Laois.
Cllr Paschal McEvoy (FF) proposed a motion requesting an update on the installation of EV charging points for Stradbally town. The motion was seconded by cllr Aisling Moran (Ind).
Tom Drennan, senior executive engineer of Laois Co Council, read a reply from Darren Coss, ZEVI engineer, who said that the council is currently working in collaboration with ZEVI and four other local authorities in the Region 2 group to “establish a strategy that will define the rollout of EV infrastructure across the county.” This strategy is due for completion in Q2 of 2026.
Cllr McEvoy called this the “same old story,” noting that he was provided locations where EV charging points were to go two years ago. The councillor said the infrastructure is required, considering Stradbally has been the location for notable events, including Electric Picnic.
He also questioned the delay after sales of electric cars has increased in recent years. In Laois, there were 295 new electric car registrations in 2025, a marked increase of 73.53 per cent on the 2024 figure of 170.
“We're all talking about climate change and green energy. We need to provide the infrastructure to keep up with it,” said cllr McEvoy. However, the councillor said he was happy with Darren Coss’ reply.
Cllr Aisling Moran (Ind) said she was unhappy with Mr Coss’ reply.
“What year was the first electric car?” she asked. “And Laois still has very few charging points. You go from Portlaoise to Graiguecullen, how many charging points do you meet? There's an awful lot of talking going on, but nothing being done.” Cllr Moran said there should be a plan in place, not just for Stradbally but the entire county. “Every little village and town that's in Laois should have charging points and there are none,” the councillor said.
Cllr Ben Brennan (Ind) reiterated cllr Moran’s concerns, calling the situation a “joke.” He said that if he were to buy an electric car now, he would not find a single charging station between Crettyard and Portlaoise He said: “The small towns are forgotten completely. Completely. They're trying to close the whole small town down, that's what they're trying to do. There should be one in every town, at least.” Cllr Brennan recalled earmarking two EV charging point locations in Graiguecullen with a former engineer.
“I don't know where they went. They don't know where they went,” he said.
Cllr Moran said it should not be up to local councils to install EV charging points, but rather electric car manufacturers.
“It's up to you to put in infrastructure around the county, around the country, and if you don't put it in, you're not allowed to sell any electric cars in that county,” she said.
“I guarantee you then there would be plenty of EV chargers up by the end of next week.”
