Ranelagh electric car owner ordered to remove ‘unauthorised' charging arm by council
Dublin
electric car
owner has said he may have to return to diesel or petrol after being ordered by
Dublin City Council
to remove an 'unauthorised' charging arm installed in his front garden.
The man in his 40s who lives in Ranelagh with his wife and children, opted to transition to an electric vehicle (EV) two years ago and installed the charging arm at the same time, citing a dearth of public charging points in the city.
The arm, which cost €3,500, is 'excellent' he said, adding that without it, owning an EV is 'just not viable'.
Like most houses in the area, his home has no off-street parking. The pole installed in his front garden hosts an arm which extends over the footpath allowing a cable to reach his car.
READ MORE
[
EV Q&A: Why doesn't Ireland use roadside furniture for charging electric vehicles?
Opens in new window
]
The man who wished to remain anonymous over fears the council would 'come and remove it the next day' said he charges his car at night, sometimes just once a week depending on usage, at a cost of about €15.
He received a letter in March from the council saying the arm is not exempt from planning permission and is therefore 'unauthorised'.
It ordered him to remove it within two months.
'We're in wait-and-see mode, I think they will insist on us taking it down and if they do, I think we will sell the car and buy a diesel or petrol,' he said.
Although there are 'loads' of similar charging arms installed in nearby front gardens, 'we're the only ones being targeted,' he said, believing enforcement is being carried out on foot of complaints only.
'There was one complaint, I think the person complained twice, and they have to act,' he said.
'I'm just guessing someone didn't like the look of it.'
The man, who was unaware that planning permission was required for the arm described it as 'incredibly frustrating' and 'completely at odds' with a Government drive to switch to EV.
'We're an example of someone trying to do our part and we seem to be penalised for it,' he said.
[
Electric vehicle Q&A: What if I can't charge at home?
Opens in new window
]
Saying there are no public charging points in the immediate area, those littered across the city are heavily oversubscribed and rarely available.
'If there were loads of them around and they were available, even though they're more expensive, we would use them. It's the lack of them that's the key issue,' he said.
Fianna Fáil councillor Rory Hogan, who is raising the issue with Dublin City Council officials, said thousands of homes without driveways are 'caught between a curb and the climate.'
'On one hand, policy encourages environmentally friendly choices like electric vehicles and on the other, outdated planning rules actively block the infrastructure needed to support them,' he said adding that 'mixed messages' are being sent to the public.
Dublin City Council did not respond to requests for comment.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Journal
2 days ago
- The Journal
First static speed camera in Dublin city to become operational next week
THE FIRST STATIC safety speed camera in Dublin city will become operational next week. It's going to be located on Dolphin's Barn in Dublin 12 and will be placed alongside the Maxol garage on the Crumlin Road. Location of where the new speed camera will be Google Maps Google Maps It will commence operation from Friday 1, August. A garda spokesperson said Dolphin's Barn was identified as part of a wider national analysis as being a road 'which could benefit from the implementation of a safety camera'. Advertisement The spokesperson added that the location was selected based on fatal and serious injury collision data from the last seven years, as well as speed data and feedback from stakeholders. Vehicles detected driving in excess of the speed limit will be subject to prosecution from 12pm on Friday, 1 August. Prosecution of speeding offences takes place by Fixed Charge Notice (FCN) and the current FCN is a €160 fine accompanied by three penalty points. Meanwhile, Dublin City Council said it is 'pleased to see the introduction of the first ever static speed camera within the Council area'. A spokesperson said the Council worked closely with An Garda Síochána to facilitate the installation and initial operation of the camera. 'Dublin City Council will continue to work together with An Garda Síochána on road safety and measures which can help to improve road safety for all,' added the spokesperson. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Times
5 days ago
- Irish Times
Markets climb on back of Japan-US trade deal signing
Global markets climbed higher on Wednesday after the United States signed a trade deal with Japan amid reports a deal with Europe could be close. Dublin Euronext Dublin finished the day up 1.3 per cent, lifted by Cavan-based insulation specialist Kingspan, which surged 3.6 per cent. There was strength across the board on the index, which fed through to the banks as AIB and Bank of Ireland finished the day up 1 per cent and 2 per cent respectively. Elsewhere, Ryanair continued its recent run as it climbed 1.5 per cent. Davy increased its price target for the airline from €24 to €27 and reiterated its 'outperform' prediction on its rating. READ MORE 'The market overall did a little bit better on the day,' noted a trader. 'The tariff deal with Japan set the market up well for the morning and it just carried through into the day.' London The FTSE 100 index closed up 0.4 per cent which was a record closing peak, after earlier hitting an all-time high. The FTSE 250 closed up 0.4 per cent, and the AIM All-Share closed up 0.5 per cent. Car makers such as Toyota climbed 14 per cent, and Honda jumped 11 per cent. Mitsubishi rose a more modest 3.6 per cent. On the FTSE 100, Informa rose 5.3 per cent. It raised its full-year outlook and added to its share buyback after reporting 20 per cent growth in half-year sales and adjusted profit. Europe The pan-European Stoxx 600 index rose 1.01 per cent, while Europe's broad FTSEurofirst 300 index rose 1.01 per cent. The Cac 40 in Paris advanced 1.5 per cent, while the Dax 40 in Frankfurt gained 0.8 per cent. Euro zone government bond yields were mixed, as investors weigh what Japan's trade deal with Washington means for hopes of further agreements. Euro area borrowing costs had fallen over the past two sessions as investor focus shifted to the deflationary fallout from potential U.S. trade duty increases and a strengthening euro. US President Donald Trump struck a deal with Japan that spares Tokyo from punishing levies in exchange for a $550 billion (€468 billion) package of US-bound investment and loans. Germany's 10-year government bond yield, the euro area's benchmark, rose 1.5 basis points to 2.603 per cent, after dropping more than 10 basis points in the last two sessions. Germany's two-year government bond yield – more sensitive to expectations for European Central Bank policy rates – was little changed at 1.798 per cent. The gap between German 10-year and 2-year yields rose 1.5 basis points to 80.5 basis points. New York Wall Street's main indexes moved higher after it was reported that the US and the European Union were closing in on a 15 per cent tariff deal. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.36 per cent; the S&P 500 rose 0.27 per cent; while the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.35 per cent. Tesla and Alphabet are set to report after the bell on Wednesday. With AI optimism running high and valuations stretched, expectations for these tech giants are sky-high, leaving little margin for disappointment. In earnings-focused moves, GE Vernova's shares climbed 13.7 per cent to an all-time high, as the power equipment maker raised its current-year revenue and free cash flow forecasts after beating Wall Street estimates for second-quarter profit. Texas Instruments tumbled 12.7 per cent after its quarterly profit forecast failed to impress investors, as it pointed to weaker-than-expected demand for its analog chips from some customers and underscored tariff-related uncertainty. The earnings also weighed on its peer analog chipmakers, with NXP Semiconductors, Analog Devices and ON Semiconductor falling between 3.5 per cent and 5.6 per cent. Toymaker Hasbro slipped 2.4 per cent even after raising its annual revenue forecast. A 1.7 per cent drop in AT&T kept the communications sector in the red, with all other sectors in positive territory. The company's stock dropped despite beating quarterly profit estimates. – Additional reporting: Agencies
Irish Times
5 days ago
- Irish Times
Stalled by ‘goodwill' for car repairs: Are Irish drivers being left in the lurch?
Many of us will probably have been given the same story at some stage of our motoring lives. A car, as likely a recently bought one as an older model, will develop a problem. A major one. It will be brought back to the dealership, who will prescribe an expensive repair, one whose cost may be defrayed by 'goodwill'. That goodwill can take many forms. It may be a total covering of costs. It may be a partial cover. It may be none of the above – but you might get a courtesy car. READ MORE However, in some situations, the issue your car has experienced may stem from a known manufacturing defect – and in many other countries, similar faults are being addressed through formal recalls. The whole concept of 'goodwill' can be problematic, as it implies that the consumer – quite apart from asserting their legal rights – must have been compliant in a particular way: had the car serviced only with a main dealer and kept it in such a condition that no questions could be raised about its overall maintenance. Equally, placing repairs on a 'goodwill' basis allows dealer and carmaker considerable discretion – after all, 'goodwill' is not a recognised consumer right under Irish law. Can the legal net be tightened on these kinds of repairs? Possibly. There has been a recent case involving cam chains and the diesel engines made by the Stellantis Group, formerly the PSA Peugeot Citroën Group. A cam chain is a crucial engine component, and if it fails while the car is running, it can cause catastrophic engine damage. One Irish customer, driving a 2021 Peugeot 5008, experienced such a failure and had the car recovered to a Peugeot dealer for inspection. What followed was a protracted series of inspections and repair estimates that left the car idle at the dealership for several months. At the time of writing, it is still there, with repair work scheduled under 'goodwill'. However, this specific issue is known within the industry, and is reportedly linked to a manufacturer-recommended engine oil that may not adequately protect the cam chain – identified officially as part number 9812647280. While some might view Peugeot's coverage of repair costs as an act of goodwill, others argue the fault should be addressed more transparently. In France, the issue has received greater public attention, prompting Peugeot to initiate what it calls a 'preventive update campaign' – effectively a recall – to replace the existing 7mm cam chain with a more robust 8mm version. The campaign also includes upgraded sprockets and other components, and is carried out at no cost to the customer, without reference to service history or owner behaviour. The CCPC found some Irish dealers were telling customers – incorrectly – that their vehicle warranties would be voided if serviced or repaired outside the official dealer network or with non-original parts. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw The issue affects at least 760,000 vehicles across Europe. Given its scale, consumer advocates argue it warrants treatment as a formal recall. Peugeot has confirmed it is extending warranty coverage for this component to seven years or 180,000km – but only for vehicles with a full service history. According to Gowan Auto, Peugeot's Irish importer: 'The issue with this particular car is that it has never been serviced since purchase. Therefore, the customer has agreed to pay the price to fit the new chain.' That service history requirement could be problematic. According to Gowan, to qualify for free repair, owners must provide 'a printed or digital copy of their service receipts which should state the date, dealer and itemise what work has been carried out, oil used, etc.' and this must reflect a 'full service history' – an unbroken record of scheduled maintenance. This condition may sit uneasily with a recent Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) report into potential anticompetitive practices in car servicing and repair. The CCPC found some Irish dealers were telling customers – incorrectly – that their vehicle warranties would be voided if serviced or repaired outside the official dealer network or with non-original parts. In some instances, independent garages reported being denied access to essential diagnostic tools or data needed to carry out repairs. [ Hyundai's big Ioniq 9 feels like an EV upgrade, but will buyers make the switch? Opens in new window ] The CCPC's stance is unambiguous: 'Such practices can break competition law.' While that conclusion does not directly apply to the Peugeot case above, it's a useful point for any consumer being told that 'goodwill' depends on main-dealer service records. Craig Whelan, director of antitrust at the CCPC, said: 'Motorists must be free to choose where they service their vehicles and what parts they use without fear of losing their warranty. 'Independent garages must not be blocked from accessing essential diagnostic data or tools. These restrictive practices hurt consumers, stifle competition and unfairly advantage authorised dealerships. We will continue to monitor this issue closely and will take appropriate enforcement action where we believe competition law has been breached.' The CCPC also notes certain mechanical issues may raise safety concerns. In the case of cam chain failure, the engine can seize without warning, potentially resulting in loss of power steering and braking assistance – a scenario with obvious safety implications. In relation to safety risks, the CCPC told The Irish Times: 'Consumers may have the option to resolve their issue under consumer protection law or product safety law. 'There are common consumer protection rules across Europe to protect consumers from faulty goods and services. These rules were updated in 2022 and became part of Irish law through the Consumer Rights Act 2022 (CRA) ... consumers in Ireland can seek a remedy for faulty goods for up to six years after purchasing.' That legal framework could open the door for consumers to claim redress even where manufacturers have not issued formal recalls. If the cam chain fault is acknowledged as a design issue, it may fall under CRA protections regardless of warranty status. That said, there is potential for jurisdictional confusion. While the CCPC previously handled motor recall issues, this responsibility now lies with the Road Safety Authority (RSA) , which is undergoing a significant reorganisation. The transition could delay or complicate recall responses for Irish consumers. Two main barriers discourage consumers from challenging manufacturers in such cases. First, the emotional and practical disruption caused by car failures often pushes people to accept whatever resolution is quickest, even if it involves out-of-pocket costs. Second, the low monetary value of most claims limits legal options – District Court rules constrain what solicitors can recover in fees, making it harder to take on complex, time-consuming automotive disputes. According to one Irish solicitor familiar with such cases, who asked not to be named due to ongoing client work, these challenges mean legitimate defects may go unresolved: 'We've seen instances where cars were sold with known issues, and consumers later found they needed to purchase extended warranties to cover problems that arguably should have been disclosed or repaired from the outset.' This solicitor also emphasised the human cost: 'I've seen people in tears over stuff like this. They couldn't get to work, school, or even bring children to hospital appointments because the car was off the road. And the responses often rely on technicalities. 'Did you use our recommended oil?' or 'did you get it serviced with us?' It can feel like trying to climb a wall blindfolded. People are under pressure, and that's one reason they don't litigate – the uncertainty, the delay and the cost.' Returning to the Peugeot case, Gowan Auto says the affected car is being addressed. It confirmed: 'The Stellantis customer care platform and website was launched in France and Spain in December 2024. However, it has not yet been rolled out to Ireland or other markets.' An announcement is expected in July, which would implement a new ten-year or 240,000km extended coverage policy across Europe – including Ireland. That would offer welcome consistency for Irish customers, aligning their rights with those of their European neighbours, regardless of whether they meet subjective 'goodwill' thresholds. In the meantime, if your car develops a serious fault, don't assume it's an isolated issue. If you can, take time to research it, and don't let vague references to 'goodwill' keep you from asserting your legal rights.
