Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 April 2021
223. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport if planning guidance has been provided to local authorities to ensure electric vehicle charging infrastructure stays ahead of demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21460/21]
View answerElectric vehicles (EVs) are the most prominent transport mitigation measure in the 2019 Climate Action Plan, and Ireland has set an ambitious target of 936,000 EVs on our roads by 2030.
To expedite the deployment of low emitting vehicles, an inter-Departmental Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) Taskforce was jointly established by my two Departments to consider a full suite of potential measures available to Government. Phase 2 of the Taskforce focused on the role that Planning Policy & Legislation, Building Regulations and Public Leadership may play in facilitating charging and refuelling infrastructure deployment. In this respect, there were a number of recommendations in the report to assist local authorities with the implementation of EV charging infrastructure including;
- Update Development Plan Guidelines with reference to updated LEV policies to support the roll out of LEV infrastructure through Planning Authority functional areas.
- Issue guidance to planning authorities to ensure a consistent and future proofed approach to the rollout of EV charging infrastructure through planning decisions.
- All local authorities to consider roll out of EV infrastructure at appropriate locations based on the experience of Local Authority pilot projects.
These recommendations are being led by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Local Authorities.
In addition, Action 73 of the Climate Action Plan is to develop and implement planning rules and guidelines across residential and non-residential parking locations for EV charging infrastructure. This action is also being led by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.
My Department continues to work closely with key stakeholders, including local government, to ensure electric vehicle charging infrastructure stays ahead of demand.
The Programme for Government published in June last year, commits to publishing an electric vehicle infrastructure strategy. Once completed, the strategy will provide a key framework for ensuring sufficient infrastructure to keep ahead of demand. I expect the strategy to be completed and published later this year.
