Coming to you live from Things That Should Have Happened Five Years Ago, the Irish Government has just launched a public consultation on plans - yes, still plans, not actually any action yet - on installing a nationwide network of fast chargers for electric cars.
The plan - again, still just a plan - would see rapid chargers installed at 60km intervals on major roads.
Charging infrastructure required
According to the Department of Transport, the National En-Route EV Charging Network Plan, which has been developed by the Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) office, "identifies the level of charging infrastructure required for the national road network to keep ahead of the needs of the quickly growing EV driver population. This includes the steps for implementation and successful delivery, timelines and the potential funding supports to accelerate delivery.'
In spite of the apparent obvious answer to the question being "yes, we need these" and "yesterday" being an appropriate timeline, Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has launched the public consultation, possibly just to ensure that everyone who's not even driven an electric car yet gets to have their say-so.
Minister Ryan said: "The National EV Charging Network Plan will drive the delivery of charging infrastructure on the National Road Network. The Plan sets out ambitious targets for the level and coverage needed for En-Route charging on our national roads network. We are already seeing significant increased capacity of EV charging on our national roads, and this plan provides additional reassurance and certainty for EV drivers and those thinking of making the switch to EVs that they will be able to find high powered, fast and convenient EV charge-points where and when they need them.
Enhanced grid connections
"The Plan sets out a provision of EV charging that will be ahead of demand. The implementation of this Plan through enhanced grid connections, funding interventions and enabling measures will remove barriers and accelerate the delivery of high-powered EV charging. The National En-Route EV Charging Network Plan is the first element of the National EV Charging Network Plan which, will cover all publicly accessible EV charging. In addition to En-Route charging infrastructure, ZEVI is also working with local authorities to develop the other elements of this national plan which will include destination and neighbourhood charging."
National effort
Minister of State at the Department of Transport with special responsibility for International and Road Transport and Logistics, Jack Chambers TD, welcomed today's launch, saying: "The launch of the National En-Route EV Charging Network Plan is a positive step forward in Ireland's ambitious goals around EV charging infrastructure. To be ahead of demand, development of this infrastructure and its implementation is vital. I would like to that the CEOs of both TII and ESB for their support and collaboration in this shared national effort, and commend the work of both organisations in furthering the way forward to greener, cleaner transport for all."
Just to ensure that there's no undue rush or anything, the closing date for taking part in the public consultation is 5pm on Friday, November 10, 2023. The final document that arises - again, still just a plan, not an actual list of actual things to be actually done - will be published sometime next year. In the meantime, hurry up and wait.