Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, has launched new measures for the delivery of the electric vehicle (EV) charging network across Ireland. 

The National Road EV Charging Network Plan, sets out the ambition for delivery of EV charging on the national road network. This includes a pool of high-powered chargers every 60 km on our motorway network, as well as home and apartment charging, destination charging and residential neighbourhood charging (including new mobility hubs). The Universal Design Guidelines provide technical assistance to ensure the design, installation and operating infrastructure of electric vehicle charging stations, can be used easily and conveniently by everyone.

Minister 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.”

Minister Ryan also announced the next stage of the delivery of EV charging infrastructure, through the opening of a public consultation on the Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan, which will focus on public charging in cities, towns and villages around the country.  

Developed by Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI), a dedicated office of the Department of Transport, the Regional and Local Plan constitutes the second part of the National EV Charging Network Plan.

Launching the public consultation, Minister 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.”

Working towards achieving both national and European ambitions for cleaner transportation, the plans outline a path to deliver on these ambitions, coupled with a package of proposals on investment, regulation, and policy instruments. 

This includes the roll-out of public accessible charge points through 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), all of which are currently live and expected to begin delivery on the ground in late 2024, early 2025. 

The closing date for taking part in the public consultation for the Local and Regional Plan is 19 July 2024.

The responses will then be analysed, evaluated, and will inform the development of a final document which will be published in the second half of 2024.   

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