Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion of the electric vehicle 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 accelerate Ireland’s transition to zero emission vehicles, has significant funding available in 2024 for the installation of EV charging across Ireland.

The EV Charging infrastructure Strategy 2022-2025 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.

ZEVI are also currently engaging with Local Authorities to develop their EV Infrastructure Strategies which will identify areas without off street charging capabilities and identify solutions to be included in Implementation Plans which may include off street community chargers, Shared Charging facilities, and/or use of local Rapid Destination Chargers or Hubs.

In relation to electric vehicle grid connections, Zero Emissions Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) continues to work closely with ESB Networks, a key member of the ZEVI Assurance Board and Progress Group. However, issues regarding the national electricity grid rest with EirGrid and ESB Networks.

EirGrid and ESB Networks are independent of the Minister of Environment, Climate and Communications in the exercise of their respective functions at an operational level. EirGrid, as Transmission System Operator, has responsibility for the development of the Transmission Network and ESB Networks, as Distribution System Operator, has responsibility for the development of the Distribution Network.

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 (ERA) and subsequent legislation. The CRU is an independent regulator, accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas and not the Minister.

The CRU is responsible for, inter alia, electricity grid connection policy and the economic regulation of the electricity system operators ESB Networks, distribution, and EirGrid, transmission. Under Section 34 of the ERA, the CRU may give directions to system operators, EirGrid and ESB Networks, on the terms and conditions of access to the electricity system. Based on the CRU’s policy directions, the system operators issue connection offers.

As such, unfortunately in the instance that a management company wishes to install any green technology, including EV charging, but where the grid is either not compatible with same or there is insufficient grid capacity locally, the management company will need to speak to either CRU or the network operators to determine whether future works will allow for those green technologies to be installed at a future date.