Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 February 2022
256. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport the total number of e-charging points which are installed and working across the country and the number of charging points yet to be installed in tabular form. [8157/22]
View answer257. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport the actions being taken to increase the number of e-charging points which are being installed in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8158/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 256 and 257 together.
The Deputy will be aware that the Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle charging network over the coming years.
A national charging infrastructure strategy is being developed which will set out a pathway to stay ahead of demand over the critical period out to 2030. My Department is engaging with relevant stakeholders to inform this work and it is envisaged that the strategy will be published for consultation early this year.
Preparations are underway to establish an Office of Low Emission Vehicles. This Office will play an important role in our transition to zero emission vehicles. It will co-ordinate measures to support the uptake of EVs and the roll-out of charge point infrastructure.
In terms of existing supports for public charging, the Public Charge Point Scheme continues to be available during 2022 to provide local authorities with a grant of up to €5,000 to support the development of on-street public chargers. The primary focus of the scheme is to provide support for the installation of infrastructure which will facilitate owners of electric vehicles, who do not have access to a private parking space, but instead rely on parking their vehicles in public places near their homes to charge their EVs. My Department is reviewing the Scheme at present to ensure that it is as effective as possible in driving the decarbonisation effort.
The Department is working closely with a number of key stakeholders, including Local Government, to ensure electric vehicle charging infrastructure stays ahead of demand. This includes developing appropriate guidance for local authorities in line with the Programme for Government which will ensure we can continue to expand our national charging network through the supports for on street chargers. I am also aware that a report was published by the CCMA on the provision of guidance to local authorities on the provision of charging infrastructure. The document is available for viewing online at www.lgma.ie/en/publications/general-publications/local-authority-electrification-of-fleet-and-ev-charging-guidance.pdf
€10 million was committed from the Climate Action Fund (CAF) to support ESB investment in the charging network and this has leveraged a further €10 million investment from ESB. This intervention alone will result in:
- 90 additional high power chargers, each capable of charging two vehicles - 17 high power chargers distributed across 14 multi vehicle hubs have been delivered as part of the programme to date. The installation of high powered charging hubs will be the priority for the remainder of the program.
- 52 additional fast chargers, which may replace existing standard chargers - This work is completed at 36 locations. ESB are awaiting the delivery of new chargers which have twice the charging capacity and speed when compared to the existing technology. This element of the programme will restart when the units are delivered and conclude in Q3.
- 264 replacement standard chargers with more modern technology and with each consisting of two charge points - This work is substantially complete, 258 of the chargers have now been successfully replaced.
The project is due to be completed in 2023.
Further details on ESB charge points nationwide can be found at www.esb.ie/ecars/charge-point-map
In light of the ESB eCars responsibility in the matter of the provision of charge points, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the ESB for direct response. Please contact my Office if no reply is received within 10 working days.
