Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 November 2020
113. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if a scheme will be put in place to support SMEs to install e-car charging points for customers and employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35126/20]
View answerGovernment is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure over the coming years. We have committed €10 million from the Climate Action Fund to promote further public charging, in particular fast charging, and this has leveraged a further €10 million investment from ESB. My Department also provides support through the SEAI for an EV Public Charge Point Grant to Local Authorities to install charge points on public streets or public car parks which provide overnight car parking for local residents. A total of 75% of the capital costs is provided through the grant, up to a maximum of €5,000 per charge point.
As part of Budget 2021, my Department has allocated €2 million to the SEAI to facilitate the introduction of a new support scheme for destination chargers to support the installation of chargers in locations such as hotels, shopping centres, visitor attractions or places of employment.
In addition, it should be noted that businesses can also avail of accelerated capital allowances for the purchase and installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. This enables businesses to invest in energy efficient equipment, including electric charging infrastructure, and write down the cost of such equipment in the year of purchase rather than over 8 years.
The Low Emissions Vehicle Task Force Phase 1 report made recommendations to issue guidance to planning authorities to ensure a consistent and future-proofed approach to the rollout of EV charging infrastructure through planning decisions, such as ensuring that traditional filling stations provide charging for EVs. In supporting future development and the installation of charge points it should also be noted that the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (2018/844/EU) requires Member States to ensure that appropriate infrastructure is installed in all new residential buildings and non-residential buildings, as well as those buildings with more than 10 parking spaces, for the purpose of enabling the installation at a later stage of charging points for electric vehicles (EVs) in such developments. It is intended that this EU requirement will be transposed into Irish law by end 2020.
In addition to the schemes outlined above, the Department of Transport is also undertaking an EV SPSV Charger Project which will see the installation of SPSV-dedicated EV chargers at Dublin and Cork Airports and train stations in Dublin (Heuston), Limerick (Colbert) and Cork (Kent). In Budget 2021 additional funding has been allocated to extend this dedicated infrastructure network further. A dedicated SPSV recharging network is key to supporting the sector in making the switch to greener, cleaner alternatives.
In rolling out the public network of EV charging infrastructure it is important to note that home charging accounts for around 80% of electric vehicle (EV) charging in Ireland and it is best practice, internationally, to promote home charging as the most common and cheapest form of charging. Government policy is to promote home charging and to maintain the current high level of home charging.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers an EV Home Charger Grant of up to €600 towards the purchase and installation of an EV home charger unit for those with access to an off-street parking space which can be connected to their domestic supply.
Work is currently being progressed to expand the EV Home Charger Grant to include shared parking (i.e. in apartment blocks) and my Department and the SEAI are working closely with other key stakeholders to ensure that a workable option for shared parking is available in 2021.
