Darren O'Rourke
Ceist:112. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the number of electric vehicle charging points in each county in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8727/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 17 February 2021
Ceisteanna (112, 113)
Darren O'Rourke
Ceist:113. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the funding allocated in 2020 to fund the construction of electric vehicle charging points; the budget and target number of completions for each of the years 2021 to 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8728/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 113 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
The project is due to be completed in 2022.
In light of the ESB eCars responsibility in the matter of the number of charge points provided by county, I have forward the Deputy's question to the ESB for direct response. Please contact my Office if no reply is received within 10 working days.
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 those EV owners who do not have access to a private parking space but rely on parking their vehicles on public streets, by enabling them 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.
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.
Budget 2020 saw the allocation of €6m to fund the construction of EV charge points with an extra €1m being allocated in 2021. In 2021, Government are funding the installation of home chargers, public charge points and destination chargers. The budget breakdown for 2021 is as follows;
- €3m for home charging to support the provision of 5,000 chargers including the installation of charge points in apartment blocks
- €2m to support 400 public charge points
- €2m for the provision of destination chargers