Belfast-based start-up Weev has announced plans to invest £20 million in a new public electric vehicle (EV) charging network in over 350 locations across Northern Ireland.

The company plans to install 1,500 new charging points before the end of 2024, including at six ultra-rapid charging hub sites that will allow drivers to fully charge their vehicles in less than 20 minutes.

The investment will help address the paucity of charging infrastructure in Northern Ireland, said Weev.

Thomas O’Hagan, co-founder, will take up the role of chief commercial officer (CCO) in the new venture, and will be joined in the executive team by Philip Rainey as chief executive officer (CEO) and Graeme Thompson as chief finance officer (CFO).

The board will be chaired by David Gavaghan with Brian Loughran joining as director.

O’Hagan said: “Our roll out has just commenced and we plan to have the first users on our network by mid-2022. In total by the end of 2024, we expect to have completed with the installation of a network of 1,500 charging points operational in strategic locations across Northern Ireland.”

Mark McCall at the Electric Vehicle Association Northern Ireland (EVANI) welcomed the investment.

He said: “We have been lobbying to create an environment that was investible for commercial operators to bring new public charging infrastructure to Northern Ireland. We are delighted that Weev has stepped forward to help make this happen.

“EV drivers in Northern Ireland have been crying out for action and we are really looking forward to seeing the progress the company makes with its planned roll out.”

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