Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 June 2023
184. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has any plans to install an EV charging point in Templemore, considering the closest charging point for electric vehicles in this town is in Roscrea, almost 20 km away, and these points often have queues for charging vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28974/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle (EV) charging network over the coming years. Having an effective and reliable charging network is an essential part of enabling drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles.
Home charging is the primary charging method for most Irish EV owners as it’s convenient and cheaper for the consumer as well as assisting in the overall management of the national grid. Over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home.
However, there is also a need for a seamless public charging network that will provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible, such as on-street and residential charging, destination charging and workplace charging.
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI), a dedicated Office which oversees and accelerate Ireland’s transition to zero emission vehicles, has significant funding available in 2023 for the installation of EV charging across Ireland.
In January, I launched the national Strategy for the development of EV charging infrastructure, covering the crucial period out to 2025, alongside an Implementation Plan. The strategy sets out the government’s ambition regarding the delivery of a public EV charging network to support up to 195,000 electric cars and vans by the middle of the decade.
A range of new destination charging infrastructure schemes are being developed this year which will help provide another critical link in the overall network for public charging.
A new Residential Neighbourhood Charging Scheme will also be launched by ZEVI for Local Authorities to provide EV charging for residents without access off street parking. This EV charging will be designed to mimic home charging and will incentivise off-peak charging in a location convenient to the resident’s home. In addition to this we will be working with local authorities to support them creating local charging plans to be rolled out in the coming years
ZEVI have held meetings with Tipperary County Council in recent weeks to engage with and to assist the Council to develop their EV Infrastructure strategies. This process is current and will include the provision of funding and guidelines to the authorities for strategy development, an element of which will relate to the formulation of suitable strategies for catering to the charging requirements across the county (including Templemore) and for those without access to their own charger (households without off-street charging capability and those living in Multi Unit Dwellings) in line with the National EV Infrastructure Strategy.
