Source: ESB

As the urgency to reduce transport-related emissions intensifies, utility company ESB is leading a national initiative to reshape how people move through cities and towns. It has launched a pilot programme of electric mobility hubs that are designed to provide communities with convenient access to shared electric vehicles (EVs), e-bikes, and e-cargo bikes.

Transport remains the second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Ireland, accounting for more than 21% of total emissions in 2023, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. As urban areas expand and populations grow, traditional car ownership contributes to increased congestion, emissions, and limited access to parking.

While electric vehicles present a cleaner alternative to petrol and diesel cars, ESB and its partners argue that a deeper shift in thinking is necessary—one that prioritises shared and multimodal transport systems over private car ownership. Shared mobility solutions, including short-term rentals of vehicles and bikes, can reduce both environmental impact and urban space demand. Research indicates that a single shared vehicle can replace between four and eight privately owned cars.

Launch of eHubs: A multimodal green transport solution

In response and in alignment with its broader goal of achieving Net Zero by 2040, ESB has launched its first series of multimodal eHubs, beginning with four pilot sites, including Westside Library Car Park in Galway. Developed in collaboration with Trinity College Dublin, Atlantic Technological University, and Enterprise Car Club, and funded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), these eHubs aim to provide practical, low-carbon transport alternatives.

Each hub includes an ESB charging station dedicated to two shared electric cars from Enterprise Car Club, accessible via its mobile app. Users can also rent four ESB-branded e-bikes and one e-cargo bike through a separate ESB eHubs app. Further eHub locations are planned in Dundrum (Dublin), Letterkenny (Donegal), and Waterford City in the coming months.

In addition, three EV-specific hubs have been established in the greater Dublin area—Swords, Sandyford, and Malahide—featuring shared EVs from GoCar and Yuko.

Connecting communities to greener choices

By integrating shared electric transport options into local infrastructure, ESB’s eHubs offer a cost-effective, low-emission alternative to private car ownership. These facilities not only make sustainable travel more accessible, but also support a broader vision of a connected, multimodal transport ecosystem—linking shared mobility with public transport, cycling, and walking.

Donal Phelan, Head of Innovation at ESB Group, emphasised the importance of such initiatives in the transition to a greener future:

“We continuously strive to explore the potential of new technology to achieve ESB’s Net Zero by 2040 goal through three key objectives: decarbonising energy, building resilient infrastructure and empowering customers to live more sustainably.”

As Ireland works to meet its climate targets, eMobility Hubs may play a crucial role in transforming urban transportation by helping communities to reduce emissions with enhanced convenience and connectivity.