Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 July 2022
272. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the progress that is being made under the e-car scheme; the number of high-powered charging points, fast charging points and replacement charging points that have been installed to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39510/22]
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 charging infrastructure strategy for the development of EV charging infrastructure, covering the crucial period out to 2025 was published for consultation in March. The draft strategy 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 next week. 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.
ESB ecars is currently undertaking a €20m investment programme to further expand and enhance the charging network across Ireland. ESB qualified for €10m in funding from the Climate Action Fund (CAF) with ESB matching the funding with a further €10m. This comprehensive investment programme is expanding and enhancing the public charging network across Ireland to help meet the expected growth of EVs in the coming years.
For the purpose the CAF programme, ESB eCars have defined 3 types of charging hub:
- Tier 1 – Consisting of 4 High-Powered Chargers with 8 charging bays
- Tier 2 – Consisting of 2 High-Powered Chargers with 4 charging bays
- Tier 3 – Consisting of 1 High-Powered Charger and 1 Fast Charger with 3 charging bays.
In terms of progress within the current investment program supported by the CAF ESB eCars have:
- 1 Tier 1 hub constructed, 2 in progress. Overall target of 6 sites
- 1 Tier 2 hubs completed with a further 10 currently in design/construction.
- 16 Tier 3 hubs completed with a further 9 currently in design/construction.
- Completed the upgrade of 40 Standard 22kW chargers to DC Fast 50kW chargers
- Completed the replacement of 250 Standard 22kW AC chargers.
Early work within the program focused on replacement and upgrade work at existing locations in order to ensure a reliable baseline network was provided to customers. The majority of work in the second half of the program is focused on delivery of hubs. The balance of the work remaining is expected to be completed during 2022 & 2023.
Current ESB ecars charging locations can be accessed at Charge Point Map (esb.ie) .
