DART+ trains serving Drogheda will be battery-electric powered by 2025, Iarnród Éireann has confirmed.
A €28 million contract has been awarded to a French company to install the fast-charging infrastructure at Drogheda station.
Ninety-five DART+ carriages will enter service in 2025, of which 65 will be battery-electric powered and the remaining 30 will be electric.
Iarnród Éireann CEO Jim Meade described the announcement as good news for passengers.
“This investment will allow us to accelerate the benefits of DART+ to customers on the Drogheda commuter route, with a brand new fleet and extra capacity to be provided in just two years' time,” he said.
“Furthermore, we are currently undertaking the second round of public consultation for full electrification and capacity improvements for the Drogheda line under DART+ Coastal North.
“DART+ Coastal North will double the number of commuters who can travel on this route, and dramatically increase service frequency.”
Early morning sunlight on the DART platform. Image: Sam Boal/RollingNewsNTA CEO Anne Graham said the new fleet would “allow more people to make sustainable travel choices and will contribute to reducing our emissions by providing a reliable alternative to the private car.”
Under the Government’s Climate Action Plan 2023, Green Party leader Eamon Ryan hopes to reduce the transport sector’s emissions by 50% by the year 2030.
The transport sector accounts for 18% of Ireland’s emissions - most of which is generated by road traffic and private cars.
Main image: A DART carriage.
