Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The ongoing National EV Infrastructure roll out will be delivered by a mix of the public and private sector, however an accelerated roll out will be delivered through Local Authorities in partnership with both the public and private sectors.

The National EV Infrastructure Plan consists of the National Road Network EV Charging Plan which was published for public consultation (as the National Enroute EV Infrastructure Plan) in Sept 2023 and the Draft Regional and Local EV charging Network Plan.

The former plan will provide for the installation of high power charging infrastructure along the Motorway and National road Network to meet National targets set at EU level.

The latter plans for the delivery of EV Infrastructure at Destination and Neighbourhood locations and will be a mix of high power DC charging and Fast AC charging to suit user needs. The Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan will be published for public consultation in May 2024 and will be delivered through Local Authorities. Local authorities are ideally suited to accelerate the delivery of charging infrastructure at the local level that is financially sustainable and best ensures equitable access for all.

Local authorities are well-positioned with:

• a deep understanding of local communities’ needs,
• experience in delivering major infrastructure projects,
• ownership of suitable site locations,
• an ability to leverage private resources and funding through contracts and planning functions,
• an ability to align EV infrastructure projects with national and local policies, strategies and projects such as existing climate action, active travel, e-mobility, demand management, housing and infrastructure projects, and
• an ability to coordinate and deliver projects across county borders in partnership with other local authorities and key stakeholders.

Local authorities and regional areas will develop EV charging infrastructure strategies and implementation plans. These strategies will complement national and local policies, strategies and plans, including the National Road Network EV Charging Plan and the Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan, and put forth targets for local charging infrastructure at destination and neighbourhood locations.

ZEVI will provide guidance to Local Authorities for developing their strategies and subsequent implementation plans. These local strategies will be critical in supporting progress towards achieving transport-related emissions reductions obligations laid out in each of the Local Authority Climate Action Plans.

Following Strategy development Local Authorities will identify suitable sites and location to install the EV charging Infrastructure to meet user needs. This will be done in partnership with other public and private sector bodies who will be installing infrastructure in tandem with the local authorities.

It is envisaged that Local Authorities will work in partnership with the private sector using appropriate contractual arrangements to install and operate this infrastructure to 2030 in order to facilitate the transition to EVs and beyond 2030 that the private market will be robust enough to install any future infrastructure based on user demand and need.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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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.

These 2400 charge points are delivering approx. 70,000 KW of charge point capacity. In order to deliver on the EU's Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) targets, this will need to increase to 214,000Kw by 2025 and 712,000KW by 2030. This is based on Light Duty Vehicles (LDVs) which consist of both LGVs and cars as a fleet and also based on Climate Action Plan targets of 195,000 EVs on Irish roads by 2025 and 30% of the private fleet by 2030.

The number of chargers required to meet this need will depend on the user needs identified through the Local Authority Charging Strategies and also the Private Market Roll out of EV infrastructure over this period, but estimates are between 3200 and 6000 Charge Points being required by 2025 with a 300% increase on this number to 2030.

It should be noted that the number of charge points per capita is not an accurate measure of addressing the public EV infrastructure need. The installation of the right chargers and the right location to meet user needs, while considering current and future demands, and tracking the EV transition is a more suitable model for delivery. While doing this the Government and local authorities will track the transition and align with National AFIR targets.

Local authorities will be funded by Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) to develop the local and regional network plans. This process will identify the number of charge points required in each area, including on street chargers to serve residents without access to private off street parking. Some authorities have already completed these plans, while others are in progress. We anticipate that most of these plans will be finalised by 2025.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Tendering and procurement for EV charging follows the standard policy used for procurement generally, reflecting the legal and procedural requirements of the type of organisation.

Local Authorities and public sector bodies, through strategy development and implementation planning, will select appropriate partnership, contractual arrangements and contracts to plan and deliver EV Infrastructure in their areas.

They will endeavour to choose appropriate contractual arrangements to leverage private sector expertise and funding and to streamline in so far as possible to accelerate delivery of EV Infrastructure.

All public sector organisations are required to follow both set legal frameworks and to comply with broader best practice with regard to procurement, including to only procure in accordance with OGP procurement systems at certain value thresholds. It is imperative that good procurement practices are followed by all Public Sector organisations, particularly when dealing with matters such as infrastructure provision.

The private sector can and will continue to deliver EV Infrastructure using private contractual arrangements available and independent of the government. While this may give added flexibility compared to a public procurement, it is still expected that any such organisations will adhere to good business practice and comply with any relevant legislation in the provision of infrastructure.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Public Charge Point Scheme, administered by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland on behalf of the Department of Transport, sought to incentivise the rollout of public EV charging by Local Authorities.

While originally intended to provide for the rollout of a number of chargers at specific sites, the scheme was unfortunately not well engaged with by Local Authorities as it was not considered sufficient to meet the rapidly expanding demand for EV charging, as well as the fast development of charging technology which has led to a preference now for higher-powered infrastructure.

To address the challenges which led to the underperformance of the Public Points Scheme, ZEVI has developed a new Local and Regional EV Charging Network Plan which is planned for publication in May. Rather than the single project approach in the Public Points scheme, the new network plan will take a holistic partnership approach, with Local Authorities working both together and with ZEVI to develop bespoke strategies on a regional and local basis to truly reflect the EV charging requirements across their county areas while addressing local needs.

Each region will be led by a nominated lead Local Authority and will be supported by ZEVI to develop EV Infrastructure Strategies and Implementation plans in partnership with the public/private sector and Charge point operators. The focus of the EV Strategy and implementation plans will be to install EV infrastructure to a the right location for the right purpose to meet user needs and stay ahead of demand. A mix of on-street, hub and destination charging will be encouraged, to complement the preferred home charging and the higher-powered en-route charging options available to EV drivers while also providing a charging solution for those without the facility to charge at home.

During its lifetime, the Public Points Scheme received 6 applications for funding from 5 Local Authorities. 5 projects proposed unfortunately did not progress to installation of chargers and the funding offers were revoked.

One Local Authority has completed its installation of 4 chargers across 2 locations, however they have not yet drawn their funding down from the scheme. It is estimated that this project will draw down grant support in the region of €8k - €10k.

The Public Points Scheme is closed to new applicants.

It should be noted that the regional approach to EV infrastructure delivery being adopted through the Faster Project has seen successful delivery of 17 High Powered DC Charge points across Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Cavan, Leitrim, Sligo and Donegal. Louth county Council were the lead Authority on this project. Fingal county Council have developed their EV Infrastructure Strategy for the Dublin Local Authorities and are currently in the process of appointing a CPO to install and operate 200 Charge Points across the 4 Dublin authorities.