Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

203. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport what his engagement to date has been with both Cork County Council and Cork City Council in progressing EV charging infrastructure for homes and apartments without their own driveway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23653/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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.

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.

Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI), a dedicated Office which oversees and accelerate Ireland’s transition to zero emission vehicles, has significant funding available in 2023 for the installation of EV charging across Ireland.

In January, I launched the 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.

A range of new charging infrastructure schemes are being developed which will help provide another critical link in the overall network for public charging.

Destination Charging will be a strong priority for ZEVI in 2023. In addition to a general scheme, a number of bespoke schemes are also in advanced stages of development, including

• A shared Island funded Sports Club scheme, which will install up to 200 fast chargers
• An EU Just transition Fund supported scheme, which is planned to install 60-80 chargers

A new Residential Neighbourhood Charging Scheme which will be launched by ZEVI, will provide EV charging for residents without access off street parking. This EV charging will be designed to mimic home charging and will incentivise off-peak charging in a location convenient to the resident’s home. In addition to this we will be working with local authorities to support them creating local charging plans to be rolled out in the coming years

Local Authorities will be key partners with ZEVI in delivering a national EV charging network, and ZEVI has already established strong links with Local Authorities, with representatives from Local Authorities on the ZEVI Assurance Board, as well as three of its EV infrastructure delivery stakeholder groups.

ZEVI has held meetings with both Cork City Council and Cork County Council in recent weeks to engage with and to assist the Councils with developing their EV Infrastructure strategies. This process is current and will include the provision of funding and guidelines to the authorities for strategy development, an element of which will relate to the formulation of suitable strategies for catering to the charging requirements of those without access to their own charger (households without off-street charging capability and those living in Multi Unit Dwellings) in line with the National EV Infrastructure Strategy.