Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 April 2022
222. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport the status of efforts to increase the roll-out of electric vehicle charging points in cases in which off-street parking is not possible including apartments; the steps that are being taken to increase uptake of the electric vehicle public charge point grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18823/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action Plan 2021 set a target of 945,000 EVs by 2030. The Deputy will be aware that the Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle charging network over the coming years, to facilitate the expansion of EVs in the Irish car fleet. A draft National Charging Infrastructure Strategy has been published for public consultation which sets out a pathway for the provision of charging infrastructure to stay ahead of demand.
The EV Home Charger Grant Scheme has been in operation since January 2018 to support the installation of home chargers for purchasers of new and second-hand BEVs and PHEVs. The grant provides generous support towards the full cost of installation of a home charger up to a maximum of €600.
Work is currently being progressed to expand the EV home charger grant. This scheme will be launched shortly.
The Infrastructure Strategy proposes that for those who cannot charge at home, provision of residential charging solutions that give the same benefits and mirror the home charging option should be the first objective.
There is an onus on national and local government to facilitate the provision of these charging solutions for citizens who do not have access to a home charge point.
The Strategy proposes a new Residential charging scheme that will replace the existing Public Points scheme, with 75% of funding to be provided to Local Authorities to support the design of local area charging networks, and also 75% of funding for delivery and installation of these networks. which are intended to comprise both on-street charging in areas where residents do not have access to home charging solutions, and destination charge points at Local Authority facilities.
