Written answers

Tuesday, 30 January 2018

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Electric Vehicles

Photo of Eugene MurphyEugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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515. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to install an electric car charging point at a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4217/18]

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure is fundamental in encouraging the growth of electric vehicles (EVs). As the EV market matures, it is vital that the charging infrastructure develops alongside it and I recognise that a range of charging options is necessary in providing the convenience and reliability that EV drivers require.

The ESB, through its eCars programme, has rolled out an extensive public charging infrastructure with approximately 900 charge points in Ireland, of which circa 70 are rapid chargers. The EV Home Charger Grant will assist eligible homeowners install an electric vehicle charge point on their property.

Employers, such as schools and businesses, can also play a role in encouraging the take-up of electric vehicles by their employees by installing charge points on their premises. While I encourage this, it is a matter for individual employers to decide whether to install a charge point based on their own circumstances, such as resources, availability and suitability of space etc.

I have supported a broad range of measures  for the promotion of electric vehicles. Budget 2018 doubled the allocation of my Department from €5 million to €10 million to support their growth. In addition to the EV Home Charger Grant, supports include the continued EV purchase grant and a new Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) 0% rate without mileage conditions for at least three years. The BIK rules will ensure that there is no BIK liability associated with recharging EVs in workplaces.

I also secured additional funding in Budget 2018 to support the provision of public charging. The Low Emissions Vehicle Taskforce, which is co-chaired by my Department and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, is considering a range of options for effective and efficient EV charging. The key objectives are supporting the operation of the existing charging network and facilitating the expansion of the network, with a particular focus on increasing the number of fast chargers.

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