Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 October 2017
182. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the degree to which he expects electric cars to replace conventional motor vehicles over the next ten years; if adequate charging facilities are likely to be readily available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42185/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn May this year, the Government approved and published the National Policy Framework on Alternative Fuels Infrastructure for Transport in Ireland 2017 to 2030. This policy framework sets an ambitious target that by 2030 all new cars and vans sold in Ireland will be zero emissions (or zero emissions capable).
The policy framework also includes an indicative forecast of 20,000 electric cars in 2020, 250,000 in 2025 and 800,000 in 2030. This is based on the assumption that nearly all new cars sold in Ireland in 2030 are electric.
There are currently circa 900 publically accessible charge points installed across Ireland, of which circa 70 are fast chargers. For a country of our size, we have one of the more comprehensive charge point networks currently in place across Europe.
The provision of electric vehicle infrastructure, particularly the installation of public charging points, is a key focus of the work of the Low Emissions Vehicle Taskforce. The Taskforce is co-chaired by my Department and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and is examining options for infrastructure, regulation and pricing in order to devise a sustainable policy framework for effective and efficient electric vehicle recharging. The work of the Taskforce is well underway with a stakeholder engagement event in July helping inform proposals in relation to Budget 2018.
Large car manufacturers are also expected to become involved in the provision of high-powered infrastructure. A number of providers are likely to emerge onto the Irish market in the coming years. For example, Nissan already has a number of charge points available through its dealer network and Tesla has recently opened its first supercharger location in Ireland.
