Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2024
225. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport the number and location of fast EV chargers currently available in County Wexford; what efforts are in place to increase this number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21817/24]
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.
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI), a dedicated Office which oversees and accelerates Ireland’s transition to zero emission vehicles, has significant funding available in 2024 for the installation of EV charging across Ireland.
There are currently approximately 2400 publicly accessible charge points across Ireland, an increase from 1700 Charge points in Sept 2022. This includes charge points on-street and in car parks.
The Department of Transport does not at present maintain counts of available publicly accessible EV charging stations in specific regions, but ZEVI are developing a Data Strategy which, when implemented, will give the Department full visibility on this. The system will enable the collection of data from charge-points in near real time and provide it on an Open Data basis. The obligation on charge-point operators and owners to share this data is legislated for in the EU Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation. This data system is expected to be in place by April 2025.
ZEVI has developed a draft Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan which is planned for public publication in the coming weeks. The new network plan will take a holistic partnership approach, with Local Authorities working both together with ZEVI to develop bespoke strategies on a regional and local basis to truly reflect the EV charging needs across their regions and county areas while addressing user needs. Local Authorities, funded by ZEVI, will develop EV charging infrastructure strategies and implementation plans. These strategies will complement national and local policies, strategies, and plans, and put forth targets for local charging infrastructure at destination and neighbourhood locations.
