Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
319. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the SEAI on-street public charge point scheme for local authorities; how much funding has been drawn down by each local authority; how many additional charging points have been added; how many additional charging points will be added in the coming months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17746/23]
View answer320. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the rollout of on-street and public charge points for those who do not have a driveway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17747/23]
View answer321. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the rollout of on-street and public charge points by Dublin City Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17748/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 319 to 321, inclusive, together.
The Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle (EV) charging network over the coming years. Having an effective and reliable charging network is an essential part of enabling drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles.
Home charging is the primary charging method for most Irish EV owners as it’s convenient and cheaper for the consumer as well as assisting in the overall management of the national grid. Over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home.
However, there is also a need for a seamless public charging network that will provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible, such as on-street and residential charging, destination charging and workplace charging.
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI), a dedicated Office which oversees and accelerate Ireland’s transition to zero emission vehicles, has significant funding available in 2023 for the installation of EV charging across Ireland.
In January, I launched the national Strategy for the development of EV charging infrastructure, covering the crucial period out to 2025, alongside an Implementation Plan. 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 range of new charging infrastructure schemes are being developed which will help provide another critical link in the overall network for public charging.
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.
• The Public Charge Point Scheme closed in February 2023 and will be replaced with a new Residential Neighbourhood Charging Scheme later this year. There are three county councils still with live grant offers should they choose to proceed charger installation under this scheme. These offers total seven charge points.
• The new Residential Neighbourhood Charging Scheme which will be launched by ZEVI, will 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
• Local Authorities will be key partners with ZEVI in delivering a national EV charging network, and ZEVI has already established strong links with Local Authorities, with representatives from Local Authorities on the ZEVI Assurance Board, as well as three of its EV infrastructure delivery stakeholder groups.
• My Department continues to liaise closely with the Dublin Local Authorities on the delivery of the DLA's EV charging strategy. In addition, my department funded a mobility hub pilot program in the Finglas area earlier last year which includes two EV chargers with four designated parking spaces.
• ZEVI is currently accepting pilot project proposals from interested Local Authorities to trial EV charging infrastructure installations and to assist local authorities to evaluate and design their future local charging networks.
