Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan is inviting the public to add their input into a new national plan for a rollout of electric car charging points.
Final publication
Ryan has launched the final publication of the National Road EV Charging Network Plan alongside a second publication, the Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Universal Design Guidelines.
Neither of these is subject to public consultation - the idea is to roll out high-speed electric charging points at intervals of at least 60km along Ireland’s motorway network (meeting EU regulations in that regard), added to which are further plans to increase the availability of home and apartment charging, destination charging and residential neighbourhood charging including the planned ‘mobility hubs’ which would locate chargers alongside on-street hire and car-club vehicles, as well as e-bikes and e-scooters. One thing that the Department has not yet addressed is how to ensure that charging providers don’t attempt to meet that every 60km minimum with just one charging point, something that arguably creates more hassle than having no charging point at all.
The plans for the rollout of such chargers is meshed with the Universal Design Guidelines which seek to ensure that chargers are easily used by everyone - not currently the case, as anyone with disabilities knows all too well.
Motorway chargers
Ryan said: “The National Road Plan constitutes the first part of a National EV Charging Network Plan, focussing on the En-Route, Motorway and Primary and Secondary Road Network. The Plan sets out ambitious targets for the level and coverage needed for charging on our national roads network, including chargers installed every 60km on major roads.
“The Universal Design Guidelines have been developed to support the rollout of well-designed, easy-to-use charging infrastructure across the country. The Guidelines have been developed following a review of international and industry best practices and engagement with a diverse group of stakeholders, and provide the opportunity to be leaders in the world for accessibility and functionality. Both measures provide 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.”
Public consultation
Where public consultation comes in is with the Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan, which is aimed at improving local charging points across the country. Launching the public consultation, Ryan said: “The Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan provides a path for the accelerated delivery of regional and local networks of public electric vehicle charging infrastructure in cities, towns and villages across Ireland. In line with both national and European ambitions for clean transportation, it ensures a cohesive and standardised approach. This will be led by local authorities working together to develop regional strategies that promote a unified and efficient rollout of charging infrastructure, and facilitate the nationwide integration of EVs.”
The funding for all of these technology plans comes from many sources, including the Shared Island Sports Club EV Charging Scheme, the EU Just Transition Fund (JTF) Community Facilities EV Charging Scheme and the Motorway Grant Scheme for EV Charging (the Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Light Duty Vehicle En-Route Grant Scheme). Don’t hold your breath for an avalanche of new charging points, though - the expected timeline for rollout is the end of this year and the beginning of 2025.
The closing date for taking part in the public consultation for the Local and Regional Plan is 19 July 2024, so get your oar in soon.