New eMobility eHub offering electric cars, e-bikes and e-cargo bikes for the public launches in Galway City

Posted on: 21 March 2025

Trinity College Dublin, together with Atlantic Technological University (ATU), ESB and Enterprise Car Club, today launched the first of four shared eMobility eHubs at Westside Library Car Park at the heart of the decarbonisation zone in Galway City.

Additional eHubs will open at sites in Dundrum, Letterkenny and Waterford over the coming months.

The eHub sites will allow people to select the most suitable mode of transport for their needs, aiming to provide a range of shared public travel options. By providing alternative solutions, it will help to encourage people to try different mobility options when travelling to work or getting around the city.

This project has been funded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland under the SEAI Research, Development & Demonstration Funding Programme 2022 (grant number 22/RDD/840) and is being led by Trinity College Dublin.

The eHubs are part of a wider strategy in Ireland to encourage public use of shared transport, help reduce congestion and parking problems in cities, and meet emission targets. Shared mobility is increasingly recognised as a practical solution to the challenges posed by urban development and environmental concerns.

Prof. Brian Caulfield, project lead, from Trinity’s School of Engineering, said: “This new hub in Galway is one of the first of its kind in Ireland and the first of four to be launched by our project, with others coming in Letterkenny, Waterford and Dublin later in the year. Our research will examine how these hubs can offer an alternative to private car ownership at each of our four testbeds and we will also measure the emissions, cost and time savings from using these shared mobility options at each of the hubs.”

Donal Phelan, Head of Innovation, ESB Group, said: “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. Our commitment to sustainability and innovation is at the heart of this eMobility Hub pilot. Working with key partners to deliver this pilot ensures that we are collectively working towards a cleaner, greener, and more connected urban future.”

Mr Leonard Cleary, Chief Executive, Galway City Council, commented: “This project marks a pivotal moment in our ongoing efforts to address climate change and improve the quality of life for everyone in Galway. The electric mobility hub is not only a first for our city but a vital part of our strategy to reduce emissions and promote sustainable mobility solutions as we work toward Ireland's ambitious climate goals. There may be families or individuals in the city managing the cost of traditional car ownership, or considering purchasing a second car – this pilot gives people a chance to try an e-bike, an e-cargo bike and an electric car to see how these options could play a part in their transport needs – along with the options of public transport and walking – before committing to a purchase. Galway City Council and the people it serves continue to be a leader in Climate Action and this project re-affirms its commitment to positive change and achieving its 2030 Climate action goals.”

Dr Amaya Vega, project partner, ATU School of Business, said: “This hub represents a new step towards sustainable mobility in our region and we are delighted to be the academic partners, expanding our research capacity in transport, and providing valuable insights into travel behaviour, transport efficiency, and the impact of policy interventions.”

Kerrie Sheehan, Head of Research, Innovation and Electricity, SEAI, said: “Ireland is one of Europe’s most fossil fuel dependent countries for our energy needs. A key measure to move away from this overreliance is to reduce unnecessary car journeys and make shared sustainable alternatives more widely available. SEAI are delighted to support this research project conducting travel behaviour trials around Ireland. The provision of electric mobility hubs will assist a switch to sustainable energy options in transport. Knowledge and data from the project will be shared with a wide range of stakeholders involved in future decision making for clean energy in transport.”

Brendan Grieve, General Manager of Enterprise Mobility Ireland said: “We are delighted to be part of the roll-out of the mobility hub in Galway and additional hubs across the country in the coming months. We are excited to support this project which will provide additional mobility solutions for residents and visitors and allow people to try different types of mobility options that they might not normally have considered or had access to.”

Enterprise Car Club is currently offering a complimentary one-year membership (usually €40) and €10 driving credit for new members via the following link https://www.enterprisecarclub.ie/ESBHub.  

For more information about the project and/or to book the e-bikes please visit the ROBUST project webpage.

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• Environment
• Research
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• Sustainability