A new eMobility eHub has gone live at Westside Library car park in Galway City to provide local businesses, residents and visitors with convenient, sustainable and cost-effective travel choices.

It’s the first of four shared eMobility eHubs that will provide new transport options for Galway’s public sector workers, as well as local businesses

Launched by Trinity College Dublin, together with Atlantic Technological University (ATU), ESB and Enterprise Car Club, it’s the first of four shared eMobility eHubs that will provide improved transport options for Galway’s many hospital and public sector workers, as well as local businesses requiring employee mobility.

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

Each of the purpose-built eHub sites will come with two shared EVs, provided by Enterprise Car Club and available to book by the public for an hour or by the day. The eHubs will also be kitted out with an ESB charge station to charge the shared EVs, as well as one e-cargo bike and four e-bikes.

By providing alternative solutions, the project will help to encourage people to try different mobility options when travelling to work or getting around the city.

The scheme 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, professor in Transportation at Trinity College Dublin and the project lead, said: “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.”

Dan Gursel, director of Enterprise Car Club, said: “This is an ambitious project that will both expand the mobility options available locally and provide essential information that will help us all to develop even better mobility solutions for the future. Connected mobility solutions means better travel for businesses, residents and stakeholders, helping to reduce emissions and congestion which can significantly affect local communities.”

Enterprise Car Club is currently offering a complimentary one-year membership (usually €40) and €10 driving credit for new members with the following link.