Electric Vehicles

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 May 2022

Tuesday, 24 May 2022

Ceisteanna (131, 132, 154)

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

131. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the budget allocated to the public charge point scheme in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25844/22]

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

132. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the budget allocated for electric vehicle grants in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25845/22]

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

154. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the total Government budget allocation for the construction of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in 2022; the total funding committed by the ESB for developing charging infrastructure in 2022; the total number of charge points broken down by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26548/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 131, 132 and 154 together.

Providing a sustainable, low-carbon transport system is a key priority of my Department. The Programme for Government commits to 7% average annual emissions reduction to 2030; ultimately, the goal is for a zero-emission mobility system by 2050.

The Government has already committed significant funding to support low emitting vehicles through the National Development Plan, which currently includes an allocation of almost €500 million for the period 2021-2025 and additional support from the Climate Action Fund.

€100m has been allocated in 2022 to ensure the continued transition to electric vehicles which includes €17m for EV charging infrastructure, including the public point scheme. This is an almost doubling of the provision made available in 2021 and underpins the Government’s commitment to making electric vehicles accessible to all. This funding will continue to incentivise the switch to electric vehicles as well as enabling the expansion of a fast and rapid electric vehicle charging network to stay ahead of demand.

In addition to the €17million funding for EV charging infrastructure in 2022 from the Department of Transport's vote, €10 million has also been committed from the Climate Action Fund to support ESB investment in the charging network and this has leveraged a further €10 million investment from ESB, with the infrastructure to be in place by the end of 2022. This intervention alone will result in:

- 90 additional high power chargers, each capable of charging two vehicles - Seventeen high-power chargers distributed across 14 multi-vehicle hubs have been delivered as part of the programme to date.

- 52 additional fast chargers, which may replace existing standard chargers - This work is completed at 36 locations.

- 264 replacement standard chargers with more modern technology and with each consisting of two charge points - This work is substantially complete. 258 of the chargers have now been successfully replaced.

Further details on the progression of this project can be found at https://esb.ie/ecars/our-network/network-upgrades.

Question No. 132 answered with Question No. 131.