Dáil Question to the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the EC targets to increase the number of charging points for electric cars here by 2020; his plans in relation to this policy; if he will be engaging in talks with the industry; if there has been a projected cost of this policy to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Mr P Rabbitte)

On 24 January 2013, the European Commission published a proposal for a Directive on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure for fuels including biofuels, hydrogen, gaseous fuels and electricity.  This Directive aims to ensure the availability of such infrastructure and the implementation of common technical specifications for this infrastructure.

One of the proposals within the draft Directive is that each Member State shall ensure that a minimum number of Electric Vehicle charge points are installed.  The proposal for Ireland is for at least 22,000 charge points in the State by the end of 2020, of which 2,000 are to be publicly accessible.  My Department is currently analysing this proposal and will consult with key stakeholders on its appropriateness for the Irish market and the costs of implementation.

The ESB, through its Ecars programme, is continuing to roll out both publicly accessible charging infrastructure and domestic charge points and its targets are to install at least 1,000 publicly accessible charge points in all main towns and cities and 60 fast chargers on major roads by the end of this year.  This investment is funded by the ESB and there is no cost to the Exchequer.