Embracing ZEVI’s Shared Charging Pilot & addressing Key Considerations
As the founder of GoPlugable, I’m excited to see Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) and the Government of Ireland launch the Shared Charging Pilot Scheme. This initiative is a significant step toward making EV charging more accessible by allowing homeowners to rent out their chargers—bridging the gap for those without home charging. A huge thank you to Minister Darragh O'Brien TD and ZEVI for recognizing the importance of community-driven charging solutions.
While this pilot is operated by a different vendor and limited to select areas in Dublin, we at GoPlugable welcome the awareness it will bring to the concept of charger sharing, something we’ve been pioneering with over 200+ active hostsacross Ireland and the UK.
However, discussions around the pilot, such as those raised by Geraldine Herbert on Newstalk , does warrant an open discussion about how viable this model actually is.
Concern 1: Wear and Tear on Home Chargers
Ger Herbert raised an important question:
"There would be additional costs for maintenance and potential repairs for your charger."
While I’m no hardware expert, home EV chargers are designed to last 8-10 years, even with daily use. If you’re sharing your charger, you control when and with whom—so excessive usage isn’t a concern.
Beyond this, an overlooked factor is that fast charging damages EV batteries over time. Replacing a battery is far more expensive than maintaining a home charger. As an EV driver myself, I prefer slower, cheaper charging where I can leave my car while I work, go to the gym, or watch a movie—instead of waiting at a forecourt for 30 minutes.
I’d love to invite Joel Teague , founder of Co Charger , to share his insights since he has been pioneering EV charger sharing for years.
Concern 2: “Only Fast Chargers Are Needed”
Another point raised was:
""The other issue is that it’s fast chargers that are needed... What people have at home are slow chargers that take eight to 10 hours to charge a car."
Do we need more chargers? Absolutely. But that doesn’t mean only fast chargers. EV charging isn’t like filling a petrol tank—drivers don’t need to charge to 100% every time.
When I drive from Drogheda to Kildare, I prefer charging at my workplace or a friend’s house over waiting at a fast charger. Community charging isn’t just about income—it’s about convenience. Our survey of 2,000 EV drivers in Ireland showed that while some were interested in passive income, over 60% were motivated by the idea of helping fellow EV drivers.
For those in suburban and urban settings, hosting a charger can also mean monetizing parking spaces, making it an attractive additional revenue stream.
Final Thoughts: The Future of EV Charging is Shared
At GoPlugable, we’ve been running real-world pilots across Ireland and the UK. With over 200+ active hosts, we’ve seen firsthand how charger sharing works in practice.
If you're an EV driver or homeowner, join our all-island pilot and be part of the change: 🔗 goplugable.com/one-island-one-charge
This isn’t just about charging infrastructure—it’s about building a community-powered, scalable network. The ZEVI pilot is a great step forward, and we look forward to more conversations, collaborations, and improvements in Ireland’s EV charging landscape.
Let’s make EV charging more accessible, flexible, and community-driven—together. 🚗⚡