Seán Sherlock
Question:291. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the number of EV chargers currently operating. [17128/23]
View answerTuesday, 18 April 2023
Questions (291)
Written answers
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 for the development of EV charging infrastructure, covering the period out to 2025 will be published on 19th January.
The strategy sets out the government’s ambition regarding the delivery of a public EV charging network to support up to 195,000 electric cars and vans by the middle of the decade. A draft strategy was published for consultation in March 2021. Responses and submissions received as part of the consultation were considered in the development of the final Strategy .
The Government’s EV target is a critical solution to reducing our transport emissions and is a key part of the strategy which also includes measures to reduce car journeys, through improved public and active transport networks.
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.
In July 2022 I launched a new dedicated Office, Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland, which will oversee and accelerate Ireland’s transition to zero emission vehicles. Further information on Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland is available at www.gov.ie/zevi.
ZEVI is developing a number of infrastructure schemes to support the rollout of publicly accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The Department of Transport does not yet hold exact numbers of public EV charging points in Ireland, as these are owned and operated by private charge point operators. The charging strategy outlined that there were approximately 1700 charge points in Ireland as of September 2022.
Destination Charging will be a strong priority for ZEVI in 2023, to facilitate charging at locations such as hospitals, leisure facilities such as municipal swimming pools, cultural centres, hotels, cinemas, and shopping centres.
In addition to a general scheme, a number of bespoke schemes are also in advanced stages of development, including
• A shared Island funded Sports Club scheme, which will install up to 200 fast chargers
• An EU Just transition Fund supported scheme, which is planned to install 90-100 chargers
These 300+ sites, in addition to those under other destination schemes currently planned will be delivered in 2024 and 2025.
A new Residential Neighbourhood Charging Scheme will also be launched by ZEVI to provide EV charging for residents without access off street parking. This EV charging will be designed to mimic home charging and will incentivise off-peak charging in a location convenient to the resident’s home. In addition to this we will be working with local authorities to support them creating local charging plans to be rolled out in the coming years.
In addition to schemes directly launched by ZEVI, there is a strong growth in the provision of private sector charging projects which aim to facilitate charging at all levels, from Destination and residential to ultra-rapid and high-powered charging, such as is required along major routes and for heavy duty vehicles.
With an investment of €10 from the Climate Action Fund and a matching €10M from ESB, ESB ecars are rolling out fast charging hubs and fast charge points across the country. Their program is as follows:
• 50 charging “hubs” throughout Ireland which can charge between 3-8 vehicles simultaneously, 23 of which have been delivered
• Replacing 50 existing standard chargers with fast chargers, 40 of which have been delivered
• Replacement of over 200 other standard to increase reliability of service.