Written answers

Wednesday, 28 April 2021

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Electric Vehicles

Photo of Pauline TullyPauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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222. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the electric vehicle strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21459/21]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Government’s policy regarding the increased usage of Electric Vehicles (EVs) is primarily driven by the Climate Action Plan which sets a target of 936,000 EVs by 2030. 

The Programme for Government published in June last year, commits to publishing an electric vehicles infrastructure strategy to facilitate the uptake of these EVs. Once completed, the strategy will provide a key framework for ensuring we continue to have sufficient infrastructure in place to keep ahead of demand, while also ensuring that appropriate planning and development guidelines are followed in providing the necessary capacity. It is envisaged that the strategy will be published later this year.

Photo of Pauline TullyPauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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223. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if planning guidance has been provided to local authorities to ensure electric vehicle charging infrastructure stays ahead of demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21460/21]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Electric vehicles (EVs) are the most prominent transport mitigation measure in the 2019 Climate Action Plan, and Ireland has set an ambitious target of 936,000 EVs on our roads by 2030.  

To expedite the deployment of low emitting vehicles, an inter-Departmental Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) Taskforce was jointly established by my two Departments to consider a full suite of potential measures available to Government. Phase 2 of the Taskforce focused on the role that Planning Policy & Legislation, Building Regulations and Public Leadership may play in facilitating charging and refuelling infrastructure deployment. In this respect, there were a number of recommendations in the report to assist local authorities with the implementation of EV charging infrastructure including;

- Update Development Plan Guidelines with reference to updated LEV policies to support the roll out of LEV infrastructure through Planning Authority functional areas.

- Issue guidance to planning authorities to ensure a consistent and future proofed approach to the rollout of EV charging infrastructure through planning decisions.

- All local authorities to consider roll out of EV infrastructure at appropriate locations based on the experience of Local Authority pilot projects.

These recommendations are being led by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Local Authorities. 

In addition, Action 73 of the Climate Action Plan is to develop and implement planning rules and guidelines across residential and non-residential parking locations for EV charging infrastructure. This action is also being led by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.

My Department continues to work closely with key stakeholders, including local government, to ensure electric vehicle charging infrastructure stays ahead of demand.

The Programme for Government published in June last year, commits to publishing an electric vehicle infrastructure strategy. Once completed, the strategy will provide a key framework for ensuring sufficient infrastructure to keep ahead of demand. I expect the strategy to be completed and published later this year. 

Photo of Pauline TullyPauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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225. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has plans to increase the number of electric vehicle charging points installed on State properties; if not, if he will consider increasing the number of electric vehicle charging points installed on State properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21462/21]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The use of EVs within public sector vehicle fleets and the installation of associated EV infrastructure is an important exemplar and market driver, providing the necessary public leadership and raising consumer awareness of EVs.

There are several initiatives and programmes underway across the public sector that encourage the uptake of electric vehicles.

- The Public Sector Energy Efficiency Strategy encourages public sector fleets to test new technologies and facilitate/accelerate their market uptake.

- Green Public Procurement can act as a driver for innovation and competitiveness in the industrial sector, encouraging the development of new technologies.

- The recast Clean Vehicles Directive set minimum Member State procurement targets, with the main objective of increasing the uptake of clean (low- and zero-emission) vehicles.

- The Local Authority Climate Action Charter is a key action in the Climate Action Plan and will ensure every local authority embeds decarbonisation, sustainable development and climate resilience into every aspect of the work they do.

I am also aware that many Public State Bodies as employers have installed charge points for staff use.  

A destination charge point scheme is being developed by my Department, in association with the SEAI, which will include commonly accessed destinations. In this regard, I am minded to allow certain key publicly owned facilities at which members of the public access state services to apply for funding under this scheme and help provide another critical link in the overall network for public charging.

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