Niamh Smyth
Question:111. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport for an update from his Department on the roll-out of electric car chargers nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10961/24]
View answerThursday, 21 March 2024
Questions (111, 160)
Robert Troy
Question:160. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the action he is taking to support the roll-out of the EV charging network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11123/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 160 together.
The Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle (EV) charging network over the coming years. Having an effective and reliable charging network is an essential part of enabling drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles.
Home charging is the primary charging method for most Irish EV owners as it’s convenient and cheaper for the consumer as well as assisting in the overall management of the national grid. Over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home.
However, there is also a need for a seamless public charging network that will provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible, such as on-street and residential charging, destination charging and workplace charging.
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI), a dedicated Office which oversees and accelerates Ireland’s transition to zero emission vehicles, has significant funding available in 2024 for the installation of EV charging across Ireland.
In January 2023, 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.
A range of new charging infrastructure schemes are being developed which will help provide another critical link in the overall network for public charging. In addition to a general Destination Charging scheme, a number of bespoke schemes are also in advanced stages of development and delivery, including:
A shared Island funded Sports Club scheme, which will install up to 200 fast chargers
An EU Just transition Fund supported scheme, which is planned to install 60-80 chargers
These new sites, in addition to those under other destination schemes currently planned will be delivered in 2024 and 2025.
In June 2023, the draft Universal Design Guidelines for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure was published for public consultation. The document summarises key considerations when designing, installing, and operating electric vehicle charging stations. These include:
the design of the charging station;
the accessibility of the site;
.. the information and communications to inform users before, during, and after a charging session.
I launched The National En-Route EV Charging Network Plan in September 2023. This is the first element of the National EV Charging Network Plan which, will cover all publicly accessible EV charging in the country.
The National En-Route EV Charging Network Plan and associated initiatives will drive the delivery of charging infrastructure on the National Road Network. The Plan sets out ambitious targets for the level and coverage needed for En-Route charging on our national roads network. We are already seeing significant increased capacity of EV charging on our national roads, and this plan provides additional reassurance and certainty for EV drivers and those thinking of making the switch to EVs that they will be able to find high powered, fast and convenient EV charge-points where and when they need them.
The Plan sets out a provision of EV charging that will be ahead of demand and meet European requirements for charging electric cars, LGVs and HGVs by 2025 and 2030. The implementation of this Plan through enhanced grid connections, funding interventions and enabling measures will remove barriers and accelerate the delivery of high-powered EV charging.
A new funding scheme to accelerate charging provision on the motorway network was launched by TII last month. The Plan can be found at www.tii.ie/roads-tolling/tolling-information/zevi-ev-charging-infrastr-LDV/.
Looking ahead, the final draft of the Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan will be published for consultation shortly. This will include modelling AFIR targets for 2025 and 2030 on a county-by-county level.
Additionally, ZEVI has been engaging extensively with Local Authorities to develop their EV Infrastructure Strategies for Destination and Residential neighbourhood chargers. Local Authorities as part of their strategy development and implementation planning will identify locations and optimum sites where these types of chargers are required. ZEVI is currently engaging with Local Authorities and looking at potential direct multi annual funding options for Local Authorities to install both Destination and Local neighbourhood Charging Projects. It is anticipated that Phase 1 projects will commence roll out this year.