Maeve O'Connell (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

287. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on his Department's work in developing a new national EV infrastructure strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34433/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the 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.

While over 80% of EV charging is expected to happen at home, which will address most users charging needs, there is an absolute need for a seamless public charging network that will provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible.

The EV Charging infrastructure Strategy 2022-2025 sets out the Government’s ambition regarding the delivery of this network to support up to 195,000 electric cars and vans by the middle of the decade.

Arising from the Strategy, the National Road EV Charging Network Plan provides a roadmap for the deployment of charging on motorway and primary and secondary roads.

The second part of this plan, the Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan, provides a pathway for the accelerated delivery of public EV charging infrastructure in cities, towns and villages across Ireland with the focus on neighbourhood and destination charging.

These documents were complemented by the publishing of the Universal Design Guidelines for EV Charging Infrastructure which includes recommendations on the design, placement and information provision of infrastructure. ZEVI has also consulted on a Strategy for Data Concerning Electric Vehicles Charging Infrastructure in late 2024, and will publish the final strategy in the coming months.

The existing iteration of the overarching EV Infrastructure Charging Strategy runs until the end of 2025. Work has commenced this year on the development of a new national EV Infrastructure Strategy to cover the period 2026 – 2028, including a significant stakeholder engagement event on 14th May.

Maeve O'Connell (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

288. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on his Department's work in establishing a national EV recharging infrastructure data strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34434/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Draft Strategy for Data Concerning Electric Vehicles Recharging Infrastructure Plan sets out the measures to be implemented to effectively collect, use, and make data available to appropriate stakeholders and end users.

The Strategy’s objective is to deliver the data infrastructure and policies required to deliver high-quality data regarding the Electric Vehicles Recharging Infrastructure in Ireland.

It shows how data will be shared publicly by Charge Point Operators (CPOs), to help enhance the EV charging experience to ensure drivers have more information.

Furthermore, it outlines an ambitious plan to establish an ID Registry Office (IDRO) to issue IDs to CPOs and Mobility Service Providers, as well as a Data Exchange Platform (DXP) at Transport Infrastructure Ireland that will gather and disseminate that publicly available data. Both have now been established and have been operational since April this year.

Delivery of this Strategy is of paramount importance as the publicly accessible charge point network grows, the data practices underlying our charging infrastructure will play an increasingly important role. The data will provide more transparency and be openly available, under governmental and EU guidelines.

The draft strategy has been through public consultation in Q4 last year and the final strategy is being prepared for publication in summer 2025.