AQW 9585/17-22


Mr John O'Dowd
Sinn Féin
Upper Bann


Tabled Date: 03/11/2020
Answered On Date: 17/11/2020
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure whether her Department has any plans to install electric car charging points in Department for Infrastructure owned carparks in Upper Bann.


Answer:
The e-car public charge point network is owned, operated and maintained by the Electricity Supply Board (ESB). ESB is responsible for the development of their network of charge points and decides on a commercial basis what public infrastructure is required to meet current and future demand. For information in relation to the e-car public network, ESB can be contacted at ecars@esb.ie or enquiries can be sent directly to ESB, Two Gateway, East Wall Road, DUBLIN 3, D03 A995.
The market is also open to other commercial operators who would wish to provide charging infrastructure and it will be for them to consider site locations.  My Department will, however, liaise closely with commercial providers to ensure the charging infrastructure remains fit for purpose commensurate with growth.
I fully recognise the importance of having modern, reliable public electric vehicle charging infrastructure in providing confidence for users of ultra-low emission vehicles and in respect of the connectivity improvements this would bring. I am pleased that my Department has been able to support the EU INTERREG VA Funded FASTER electric vehicle network project. This is a joint proposal across Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland to support the overarching ambition to transition to low carbon transport systems and to demonstrate how working together across these islands we can provide early systems learning in relation to the electrification of transport.
The project will complement and enhance the existing EV charging infrastructure, which was co-financed by the EU through TEN-T funding.
The project will install a total of 73 electric vehicle charging points across the island of Ireland and the West of Scotland by 31 March 2023.