Irish garda forced to hitchhike to emergency after electric patrol car ran flat with no charger at station
By Eve
A garda in Ballygar, County Galway, had to hitchhike to a serious incident after his electric patrol car ran out of charge, as his station has no charging infrastructure, an Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee heard. The officer must collect an electric vehicle from another location to use during shifts but cannot recharge it locally. TD Martin Daly told Commissioner Justin Kelly the case is emblematic of rural transport issues across Ireland.
Why it matters
The incident highlights critical gaps in charging infrastructure planning for public sector EV fleets, particularly in rural areas where operational reliability depends on local charging access. It underscores the risk that fleet electrification without matching site infrastructure can compromise emergency response capability.
Source
- Original title
- “Garda forced to thumb a lift to emergency as electric patrol car can't be charged at his station”
- Published
- 8 October 2026
- Updated
- 15 October 2026
In this story
- Topic
- EV Charging
- Place
- Ireland
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