Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 June 2022
175. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport his plans to address the difficulty of charging an electric vehicle for terraced home and apartment dwellers in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33409/22]
View answerThe Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle charging network over the coming years. A draft national strategy for the development of EV charging infrastructure, covering the crucial period out to 2025 was published for consultation in March. It sets out the government’s ambition regarding the delivery of a public EV charging network to support up to 194,000 electric cars and vans by the middle of the decade. Responses and submissions received as part of the consultation are currently being considered in the development of the final Strategy for publication.
Preparations are underway to establish Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland. 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 rollout of charge point infrastructure.
Having an effective and reliable recharging network is essential to enabling drivers to choose electric. Home charging is the primary charging method for most Irish EV owners as it’s convenient and cheaper for the consumer as well assists in the overall management of the national grid. Over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home.
A grant is available from the SEAI for those individuals seeking to install a home charger. Work is currently being progressed to expand the EV home charger grant to include shared parking in apartment blocks and similar developments. My Department is working closely with the SEAI and expects a scheme for retrofitting existing apartments to open shortly.
Additionally with regard to new buildings, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive requires the installation of appropriate infrastructure to enable the installation at a later stage of recharging points for EVs, for new residential buildings and non-residential buildings and those undergoing major renovation, with more than ten parking spaces. In addition, non-residential buildings with more than ten parking spaces must ensure the installation of at least 1 recharging point.
The Directive also requires that Member States shall lay down requirements for the installation of a minimum number of recharging points for existing non-residential buildings with more than twenty parking spaces, by 1 January 2025.
Regulations to implement these requirements were introduced in 2021 by my colleague the Minister for Housing, Planning and Heritage. He plans to introduce additional requirements later this year for EV recharging infrastructure for all new dwellings with less than 10 parking spaces and for dwellings with their own car parking within the curtilage.
