Facilitating A Sustainable Transition to EV’s in Regions (FASTER) is a €6.4 million EU INTERREG VA funded project.
FASTER move to Electric
A FASTER move to Electric
The aim of the project is to help decrease the impact of fossil fuels and transport emissions through the delivery of 73 new publicly accessible rapid charging points across Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Border Region to assist drivers as they make the transition to electric vehicles. In the future the FASTER Project will ensure that there will be an increased number of charging points for EV owners. The project is led by East Border Region Ltd with partners including South West College, University of Ulster, Sligo IT and Dundalk IT. The Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland and the Department for Transport in Ireland have provided Match-Funding for the project, as well as HITRANS and the University of Strathclyde.
In Sligo County Council the FASTER Project is currently identifying appropriate locations in the county for the essential infrastructure which is planned to be installed on a rolling basis over the next 6 to 18 months. Emphasizing the significance of the project Gina McIntyre, CEO of the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), which oversees the EU’s INTERREG VA Programme, said:
“As the effects of climate change increase dramatically we need to invest seriously in measures which will cut carbon emissions. Electric vehicles represent an eco-friendlier form of transport which will have a reduced impact on the environment”.
East Border Region Chairman Councillor Kyle Savage added
“EBR are delighted to be Lead Partner on this innovative and genuinely cross-border project which will see essential Electric Vehicle infrastructure installed across the three jurisdictions. Electric Vehicles are an essential strategy in the immediate term to reduce local emissions and help improve local air quality.”
It is estimated that up to 80% of charging will take place at the homes of EV owners. The biggest obstruction for people considering the transition to a sustainable vehicle is the quantity of chargers presently accessible for public use. This barrier will be oppressed by the completion of the FASTER Project and it will educate drivers as to their options of electric vehicles and the benefits they can deliver.
The public are being called upon by the FASTER Project partnership in collaboration with Transport Research Partnership to participate in a short survey which will examine the current travel needs and behaviours of vehicle users across Sligo. This survey will identify attitudes on vehicle ownership, fuel choice, the nature of trips that the drivers are making day-to-day and will discover the factors and influences which are leading the shift towards electric vehicles. It is hoped that the instillation of these new charging points will encourage more citizens to opt for a ‘greener’ sustainable form of travel.
Ireland’s Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, T.D. welcomed the project saying:
“I’m delighted to see these 73 rapid charging stations being funded as part of the EU INTERREG VA programme. People across all three jurisdictions will benefit enormously and hopefully this type of infrastructure will incentivise people to make the switch away from fossil fuel vehicles”.
Take part in survey to help reach zero emission goal
The FASTER Project is calling on members of the public to share their attitudes on electric vehicles and sustainable transport
Motorists and transport users across Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are urged to take part in a survey to help identify barriers preventing them from transitioning to electric vehicles.
The aim is for local authorities to gain a better understanding of people’s changing attitudes and behaviours towards electric vehicles and sustainable transport systems to help facilitate the relevant infrastructures in the surrounding areas.
The survey, commissioned by INTERREG and delivered by Transport Research Partners is supported by the FASTER Project, a joint initiative across Scotland, Ireland, and Northern Ireland that supports a model shift to zero emission and sustainable forms of transport.
The FASTER Project will install 73 new rapid charging stations for electric vehicles across the three project regions. The initiative has received €6.4 million EU INTERREG VA funding to further increase awareness of the sustainable options available to motorists and road users.
Match funding has been provided by the Department for Infrastructure (NI), Transport Scotland and the Department for Transport (Ireland).
The Cross Border Local Authority led Organisation East Border Region Ltd are the lead delivery partner for the FASTER Project and commenting on this call to the public, Chairperson Cllr Michelle Hall said:
“The East Border Region are delighted to be leading this exciting and necessary project. Electric vehicles are the future and as Local Authorities, the onus is on us to lead the way and provide the necessary infrastructure to effect change.
“We would encourage everyone to participate in the survey in order to help us determine attitudinal change and the most appropriate methods to support change going forward.”
Donal Monaghan, Project officer, who manages the behavioural change programme for the FASTER Project at South West College added:
“The steady increase in the number of electric passenger and commercial vehicle registrations proves a growing acceptance of a more sustainable transport system. Over the past 12 months, we have been working closely with agencies across the UK and Ireland, local authorities, government departments and electric vehicle user groups to support this transition.
“There are endless benefits of electric vehicles and other forms of sustainable transport, and we understand with the rising cost of fuel prices, people are reconsidering their mode of transport. Therefore, it is important that the public take this opportunity to make their voices heard and let us know exactly how we can support them on their travel choices.”
Survey respondents will be entered into a prize draw with the opportunity to win a £100 Amazon Gift Card. The closing date for the receipt of completed surveys is Friday 15th July.
The survey is available now at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/IRSust and further information about the study can be obtained by emailing interreg@transportresearch.org
Find out more about FASTER by visiting www.fasterevcharge.com