Written answers

Thursday, 5 March 2020

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Electric Vehicles

Photo of Michael McGrathMichael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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1009. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to improve the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3229/20]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Government is investing, in a sustained way, in electric vehicle charging infrastructure right across the country. The measures that have been put in place are significantly supporting the development of Ireland’s charging network, both public and private. The network will increase very significantly in the years to come and this will alleviate access issues and ensure that everyone has good access to a well-developed and modern charging network. Already €10 million has been committed from the Climate Action Fund to promote the charging network and this has leveraged another €10 million investment from ESB. This intervention alone will result in:

- 90 additional high power chargers (150kW chargers), each capable of charging two vehicles

- 52 additional fast chargers (50kW charger), which may replace existing 22 kW chargers

- 264 replacement standard chargers (22kW chargers) to more modern technology and with each consisting of two charge points.

There are also commitments in the Climate Action Plan to develop more analysis and plan ahead accordingly for the period up to 2030 to ensure that Ireland’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure can keep pace with expected increases in demand. This work is already underway and will be supported by a number of Government Departments.

The current policy has already identified that home charging should be the most cost-effective method of charging, followed by on-street public charging and then destination charging. Charging while at home accounts for around 80% of electric vehicle charging in Ireland and it is best practice, internationally, to promote home charging as the most common and cheapest form of charging. Combined with a public charging network, Ireland’s home charging network will help sustain and service the growth in electric vehicle numbers. Many elements of charging are already being supported by the Government, from generous grants for families and their homes to supports for local authorities and public chargers.

The Government’s interventions are also spurring private investment and I expect over the coming years that Irish and international companies will very significantly expand their charging networks nationwide.

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