Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 October 2020
177. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications his views on additional car charging points (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28877/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan 2019, this Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle charging network over the coming years. There are currently circa 650 standard public charge points and over 100 fast charge stations (the majority of which are operated by the ESB) in Ireland. An interactive map showing ESB charger locations and their status can be found at www.esb.ie/ecars.
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
The high powered and fast chargers will be mainly concentrated on or near national roads and motorways to enable longer journeys to be completed.
Since the delivery stage of the project commenced in October 2019, County Kerry has received nine new 22kW charger replacements with a total of 18 charge points now available in the county.
In addition, there are upgrades planned at Kenmare and Tralee to replace the existing standard 22kW chargers to fast chargers. More information on these upgrades can be found at https://esb.ie/ecars/our-network/high-power-charging-hubs.
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 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.
