Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2023
175. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the number of EV charging points delivered, by county, in 2022 and to date in 2023, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34253/23]
View answer176. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the number of EV charging points connected to the ESB grid, by county, in 2022 and to date in 2023, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34254/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 176 together.
The Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle (EV) charging network over the coming years.
In July 2022, I launched a new dedicated Office, Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland, which will oversee and accelerate Ireland’s transition to zero emission vehicles. A suite of new grants and initiatives have been launched and further information on Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland is available at www.gov.ie/zevi.
ZEVI has significant funding available in 2023 for the installation of EV charging across Ireland.
In January this year, I launched the national Strategy for the development of EV charging infrastructure, covering the crucial period out to 2025, alongside an Implementation Plan. The strategy sets out the government’s ambition regarding the delivery of a public EV charging network to support up to 195,000 electric cars and vans by the middle of the decade.
ZEVI is developing a number of infrastructure schemes to support the rollout of publicly accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Destination Charging will be a strong priority for ZEVI in 2023.
In addition to a general scheme, a number of bespoke schemes are also in advanced stages of development, including
• A Shared Island funded Sports Club scheme, which is expected to install up to 200 fast chargers
• An EU Just transition Fund supported scheme, which is planned to install 60-80 chargers
These circa 300 sites, in addition to those under other destination schemes currently planned will be delivered in 2024 and 2025.
A new Residential Neighbourhood Charging Scheme will also be launched by ZEVI to provide EV charging for residents without access off street parking. This EV charging will be designed to mimic home charging and will incentivise off-peak charging in a location convenient to the resident’s home.
In addition to schemes directly launched by ZEVI, there is a strong growth in the provision of private sector charging projects which aim to facilitate charging at all levels, from Destination and residential to ultra-rapid and high-powered charging, such as is required along major routes and for heavy duty vehicles.
With an investment of €10 from the Climate Action Fund and a matching €10M from ESB, ESB ecars are rolling out fast charging hubs and fast charge points across the country. Their program is as follows:
• 50 charging “hubs” throughout Ireland which can charge between 3-8 vehicles simultaneously, 23 of which have been delivered
• Replacing 50 existing standard chargers with fast chargers, 40 of which have been delivered
• Replacement of over 200 other standard to increase reliability of service
In relation to the number of charge points per county, public EV charge points are provided in Ireland by a number of charge point operators on a commercial basis. ZEVI is engaging with these charge point operators as key stakeholders in the delivery and roll-out of fast charging points across the country. ZEVI is also working with local authorities to support them creating local charging plans to be rolled out in the coming years.
There are approximately 2,100 charge points in Ireland. The Department of Transport does not yet hold exact numbers of public EV charging points in Ireland in particular locations, as these are owned and operated by private chargepoint operators. Once Local Authorities' EV infrastructure strategies are complete, the Department will have an accurate statement of charge points per county.
