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 Ford Transit Electric Fleet Vans Petroleum companies take note, it will take just 30 minutes, from next month, to charge your electric car in County Tipperary
The Electricity Supply Board (ESB) Ecars have just announced plans for the roll-out of Fast-Charge points to Irish service stations, which will allow drivers to ‘refuel’ their electric vehicles up to 80% of their storage capacity, for just €6.
Motor industry experts reckons electric vehicles (EV’s) are perfect for some fleets, where daily routes are distances are well known, so the likelihood is that businesses who distribute daily manufactured goods are likely to take advantage of EV’s initially.
Public transport will also be targeted, following the lead by Sweden, who has just introduced a brand new hybrid bus combining an electric/diesel model. This bus will be be charged for five to ten minutes at one end of its route between each run and these frequent fast charges it is hoped will allow the bus to run for a full 18 hours on electrical power alone.
ESB is committed to installing 30 fast-charging points across Ireland by the end of this year, including an estimate of 2,000 points in private homes.
One of the first charging points will be operational from next month in Wallers Lot in Cashel, here in Co Tipperary.These chargers are urgently needed to promote the future use of electric cars as an alternative to our traditional car.
With running costs for the electric vehicles just three cents per mile as opposed to 15 cents per mile for traditional car, once Fast-Charge points are provided the ESB predict over 6,000 electric vehicles will be on our roads by 2012, with 10pc of all vehicles powered by electricity by 2020.
 Garda Dave McMahon, a delegate at the Garda Representative Association (GRA) annual conference, said members want a new advanced course covering high-speed chases, to be implemented at the Garda College in Templemore, Thurles, Co Tipperary. Front-line Gardaí are seeking an end to high-speed car chases, until such time as they receive training in high speed driving.
Currently there is a standard two-week driving course for Garda recruits, but a backlog now means that many officers are currently driving without basic training, acting on the authority of Chief Superintendent grade. The (GRA) states officers fear risking their lives and the lives of others during dangerous pursuits of detected criminals.
Garda Dave McMahon, Tralee, Co Kerry stated, “Our concern is we are endangering ourselves, our passengers and obviously other road users.” Garda Officers are only permitted to travel at high speed serious and emergency cases, such as armed robberies and murder, using flashing blue lights and sirens.
Officers are particularly worried about being investigated by the independent Garda Ombudsman or being hauled before the courts for traffic violations.
The GRA, which represents rank and file officers, passed a motion at their recent conference in Westport, Co Mayo, demanding an end to fast car chases until training and regulations are reviewed.
Many of the Garda cars are not fast enough to catch up with some more powerful vehicles currently on our roads and the Garda Force are reporting that old Garda cars are being lost from their fleet at a rate of one a day and are not being replaced, due to cutbacks.
Irish Rail services between Heuston Dublin, Cork, Kerry and Limerick train stations are now operating almost as normal, following only minor delays, after signalling equipment was targeted by mindless vandalism overnight.
 Irish Rail There were delays of up to 45 minutes on these routes earlier, after vandals had caused a signaling fault at the Limerick and Thurles junction.
Iarnród Éireann spokeswoman, Jane Cregan stated that engineers were working to immediately rectify the situation.
Irish Rail are also warning of possible delays to Cork/Limerick/Tralee services from Monday 4th – Monday 11th April, due to essential alterations to Emly Level Crossing in the Limerick Junction/Charleville section of the network.
Iarnród Éireann regret any inconvenience this may cause, but warn that services may be delayed by 10 – 15 minutes.
 Lives lost through road accidents this year. Congratulations must go to Thurles Gardaí for highlighting Road Safety Week in Thurles, by the erection of 183 white crosses at Turtulla near Thurles Golf Club.
Each cross represents a life lost on the roads of Ireland and stands as a visual reminder of how we all need to take greater care while driving.
Gardaí locally, also distributed 2000 free visibility safety vests and armbands, to members of the public in Thurles town over the course of the week.
The L.A.D.S. (Let’s All Drive Slower) initiative program has also been launched for local drivers who received free car stickers, as part of their commitment to drive slower on our roads.
Sobering Thought
For those of you who continue to drive drunken, unfocused, carelessly, showing no respect for the personal or public safety of others, is there any chance you might carry an Organ Donor Card. You can apply for same here or you can tick and sign the back of your current driving licences.
Your undamaged spare parts can then be removed /salvaged and come in handy in assisting others, who so greatly value that wonderful gift called ‘life‘.
Remember: Although you placed little value on your own life, after death this action will be of some small consolation to your distraught parents, grieving siblings and friends, for whom your total stupidity will also have life changing consequences.
Just a thought and well done Thurles Gardaí on your initiative.
Templemore railway Station, near Thurles, in Co.Tipperary, has been included in the Munster areas selection for the coveted title of overall ‘Best Station.‘
The Iarnród Éireann ‘Best Station Awards’ reward excellence in customer facilities, cleanliness, innovation and customer service in the country’s 141 railway stations.
Iarnród Éireann Bosses stated: “We are delighted with the response from our customers to this competition. The Awards have been running now for 16 years and we think that it is fitting that ownership of the decision making process for them should go to our customers, who use the services.”
 Blast from the past - Steam train leaves Templemore Station. Iarnród Éireann have now just revealed the choosen finalists nationally, which are as follows!
Connacht: Claremorris, Dromod, Ballinasloe.
Leinster: Arklow, Gorey, Tullamore.
Munster: Killarney, Templemore, Cobh.
Major Station: Heuston, Dundalk, Cork.
DART: Pearse, Sandymount, Raheny.
Commuter: M3 Parkway, Donabate, Leixlip Louisa Bridge, Hazelhatch.
Voting was conducted through a text and email poll. Almost 5,000 people voted as part of the competition. Customers were asked to rate their station under the following criteria; Customer Information, Staff Appearance, Staff Helpfulness and Station Appearance.
The votes were cast in a text and online poll, during November of last year.
The final awards will be presented at a Gala ceremony at Iarnród Éireann’s training centre at Inchicore on a date which will be announced shortly.
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