Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle (EV) 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. It is also an essential part of ensuring just and equal access to EVs across Ireland, including in rural areas.

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.

Last 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.

In January, I launched a National Strategy for the development of EV charging infrastructure, covering the crucial period out to 2025, alongside an Implementation Plan. The 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. 

ZEVI has significant funding available in 2023 for the installation of EV charging across Ireland. To this end, a range of new charging infrastructure schemes are being developed, including destination charging, which will help provide another critical link in the overall network for public charging, including rural areas.

A Destination Charging Scheme will be open for applications in the second half of this year from public and private sector organisations. The Scheme is in development at the moment and further information will be made available before the Summer.  There is also significant private investment in EV charging infrastructure with many charging points being installed in retail and hotel locations without government support.