Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2020
96. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks his plans to increase the availability of public charging points for electric cars nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25146/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra159. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the number of electric vehicle charging points by capacity installed in each county to date since funding was announced in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25213/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 159 together.
Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle charging network over the coming years.
We have committed €10 million from the Climate Action Fund to promote the charging network and this has leveraged a further €10 million investment from ESB. This intervention alone will result in:
- 90 additional high power chargers (150kW), each capable of charging two vehicles
- 52 additional fast chargers (50kW), which may replace existing 22 kW standard chargers
- 264 replacement standard chargers (22kW) with more modern technology and with each consisting of two charge points
Since the delivery stage of the project commenced in October 2019, 159 22kW chargers, each with two charge points, have been replaced bringing the total number of these chargers nationally to 318. The breakdown, per county, of these chargers is set out in the table below:
|
County |
New 22 kW Charger Replacements since Oct 2019 |
Total Charge Points available |
|
Carlow |
4 |
8 |
|
Cavan |
3 |
6 |
|
Clare |
6 |
12 |
|
Cork |
18 |
36 |
|
Donegal |
5 |
10 |
|
Dublin |
26 |
52 |
|
Galway |
8 |
16 |
|
Kerry |
9 |
18 |
|
Kildare |
8 |
16 |
|
Kilkenny |
1 |
2 |
|
Laois |
3 |
6 |
|
Leitrim |
1 |
2 |
|
Limerick |
7 |
14 |
|
Longford |
2 |
4 |
|
Louth |
5 |
10 |
|
Mayo |
5 |
10 |
|
Meath |
8 |
16 |
|
Monaghan |
4 |
8 |
|
Offaly |
2 |
4 |
|
Roscommon |
2 |
4 |
|
Sligo |
4 |
8 |
|
Tipperary |
6 |
12 |
|
Waterford |
6 |
12 |
|
Westmeath |
4 |
8 |
|
Wexford |
7 |
14 |
|
Wicklow |
5 |
10 |
|
Total |
159 |
318 |
In addition to the new replacements for 22kW chargers, three multi charger sites have also been delivered, one each in Galway (M6), Kildare (M9) and Laois, while the programme to upgrade 50 22kW chargers to 50kW has already commenced with 10 installations now in place. More information on these upgrades can be found at https://esb.ie/ecars/our-network/high-power-charging-hubs.
In addition to the ESB project, my Department also provides support through the SEAI Public Charge Point Scheme which has been in place since September 2019 to provide funding to local authorities for the development of on-street public chargers. The primary focus of this scheme is to provide support for the installation of infrastructure which will facilitate owners of EVs, who do not have access to a private parking space but rely on parking their vehicles on public streets, to charge their EVs near their homes. A total of 75% of the capital costs is provided through a grant, up to a maximum of €5,000 per charge point.
My Department will continue to support this scheme through the grants provided by SEAI and in parallel is also developing a charging infrastructure strategy, in line with the Programme for Government, which will ensure capacity keeps ahead of demand while also putting in place guidance for local authorities on how best to expand the network of public charge points at both local and regional level.
Combined with an effective public charging network, Ireland's home charging policy will help sustain and service the expected growth of electric vehicles on Irish roads. Charging while at home accounts for around 80% of electric vehicle charging in Ireland and it is best practice, internationally, to promote home charging as the most common and cheapest form of charging. To support home charging, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), on behalf of my Department, administers an EV Home Charger Grant of up to €600 towards the purchase and installation of an EV home charger unit.
