Competitive Advantage and Brand Enhancement Electric Vehicle Project

eircom and Topaz collaborated on an innovative pilot project entitled ‘Integrating Electric Vehicles into a Commercial Fleet’. eircom operates Ireland’s largest transport fleet and Topaz was Ireland’s biggest distributor of fuels. Sustineo acted as consultant and project manager to both partners on this project and the work involved:

  • Negotiating a €530,000 grant with the Department of Transport’s Smarter Travel Project Fund
  • Procurement of the first fast chargeable vans in the world (CHAdeMO compliant)
  • Installation of the first DC fast chargers in Ireland
  • Development of fully integrated payment interface (cash, credit card, fuel card)

The project was formally launched at Topaz’s Glasnevin service station by Transport Minister Leo Varadkar on May 3rd 2011.

Progress reports can be found at the following links on the SmarterTravel website:

Feasibility & Deployment Strategy
Procurement & Installation
Performance Analysis 1
Performance Analysis 2
Final Report

Following on from the Smarter Travel Project above, Topaz secured a memorandum of understanding with ESB ecars to supply additional fast chargers on various forecourts around Ireland. ESB ecars and Topaz launched the first fast chargers at the Topaz service station in Coolshanagh, Co. Monaghan on May 26th 2011.

“eircom chose Sustineo to project manage its electric commercial vehicle pilot because of Raoul Empey’s deep technical knowledge, his project management skills and his enthusiasm. He was able to maintain the focus of a diverse group of stakeholders throughout the project and do so in his gentlemanly but firm manner. Raoul doesn’t just manage projects, he lives and breathes them! I would recommend Sustineo to anyone seeking positive results and a positive experience from a project”.

Michael Lynch

HEAD OF TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS, EIRCOM

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