Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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196. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps being taken to remove the barriers to having a fast electric vehicle charging point made available in Thurles, County Tipperary, given the Government's commitment to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle charging network (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54775/22]

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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234. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the roll-out of fast charging points for electric vehicles; the plans that his Department has to increase the number of points over the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55455/22]

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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235. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of electric charging points that are now operational in public areas in County Wexford, broken down by fast charges and ordinary charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55460/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 196, 234 and 235 together.

The Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle (EV) charging network over the coming years. As the Deputies are aware, a draft national charging infrastructure strategy for the development of EV charging infrastructure, covering the crucial period out to 2025 was published for consultation in March. The draft strategy 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. Responses and submissions received as part of the consultation are currently being considered in the development of the final Strategy that will be published later this year, alongside an Implementation Plan.

Home charging is the primary charging method for most Irish EV owners as it’s convenient and cheaper for the consumer as well as assisting in the overall management of the national grid. Over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home.

However, there is also a need for a seamless public charging network that will provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible, such as on-street and residential charging, destination charging and workplace charging.

On 21st July I launched a new dedicated Office, Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland, which will oversee and accelerate Ireland’s transition to zero emission vehicles. A suite of new grants and initiatives have been launched and further information on Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland is available at www.gov.ie/zevi.

Public EV charge points are provided in Ireland by a number of charge point operators on a commercial basis. ZEVI is engaging with these charge point operators as key stakeholders in the delivery and roll-out of fast charging points across the country.

€10 million was committed from the Climate Action Fund to support ESB investment in the charging network and this has leveraged a further €10 million investment from ESB, with the infrastructure to be in place by the end of 2022.

In terms of progress ESB eCars have:

- One hub of 4 High-Powered Chargers with 8 charging bays constructed, with 2 in progress. There is an overall target of 6 sites

- One hub consisting of 2 High-Powered Chargers with 4 charging bays completed with a further 10 currently in design/construction.

- 17 hubs of 1 High-Powered Charger and 1 Fast Charger with 3 charging bays completed with a further 13 currently in design/construction

- Completed the upgrade of 40 Standard 22kW chargers to DC Fast 50kW chargers

- Completed the replacement of 250 Standard 22kW AC chargers.

Further details on the progression of this project can be found at esb.ie/what-we-do/ecars/our-network

In terms of existing supports for public charging, the Public Charge Point Scheme, which is administered by the SEAI, continues to be available and provides local authorities with a grant of up to €5,000 to support the development of on-street public chargers. The primary focus of the scheme is to provide support for the installation of infrastructure which will facilitate owners of electric vehicles, who do not have access to a private parking space, but instead rely on parking their vehicles in public places near their homes to charge their EVs. It should be noted that this scheme facilitates the installation of standard charge points.

ZEVI has significant funding available in 2023 for the installation of EV charging across Ireland. A new scheme for neighbourhood charging is in development expected to launch in 2023.

In addition, ZEVI is also currently working in partnership with a number of Local Authorities on pilot programmes for EV charging this year. Tipperary Council is welcome to contact the ZEVI team if it would like to put forward a pilot EV charging project for inclusion in ZEVI’s pilot programme.

My Department is also developing a new scheme which will support the installation of destination charge points in locations such as visitor centres and parks. This new initiative will help provide another critical link in the overall network for public charging.