Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 May 2024
22. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport to outline his engagement to date with Cork County Council in progressing and delivering EV charging infrastructure for existing homes and apartments without their own driveway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22105/24]
View answerThe Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion of the electric vehicle charging network over the coming years.
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI), a dedicated Office which oversees and accelerate Ireland’s transition to zero emission vehicles, has significant funding available in 2024 for the installation of EV charging across Ireland.
While home charging will be the primary charging method for most Irish EV owners given the Irish landscape, there is also a need for a seamless charging network that will provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible.
The number of publicly available charge points has increased from 1,700 in September 2022 to 2,400, and a significant number of charge points are scheduled to be delivered over the next year.
ZEVI are currently engaging with Local Authorities to develop their EV Infrastructure Strategies which will identify areas without off street charging capabilities and identify solutions to be included in Implementation Plans which may include off street neighbourhood chargers, Shared Charging facilities, and/or use of local Rapid Destination Chargers or Hubs.
Following Strategy development Local Authorities will identify suitable sites and locations to install the EV charging Infrastructure to meet user needs.
It is envisaged that Local Authorities will work in partnership together and with the private sector using appropriate contractual arrangements to install and operate this infrastructure up to 2030 in order to facilitate the transition to EVs, and beyond 2030 that the private market will be robust enough to install any future infrastructure based on user demand and need.
Additionally, current financial supports include the apartment charger grant – the grant is available to assist residents and owners of apartments and other multi-unit developments with the bulk installation of chargers at a single location.
Officers in my Department have been engaging with Cork County Council and other Local Authorities in the development of these plans.
