AQW 14780/17-22

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 16/02/2021
Answered On Date: 26/02/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail (i) the budget available in her Department for electric vehicle charging infrastructure; (ii) future investment plans of her Department to expand and improve this area; and (iii) her assessment of the consequences of a lack of investment in this area, including for a net carbon-zero target and encouragement of new electric vehicle users.

Answer:

My Department does not have a budget for EV charge point infrastructure. The electric vehicle public charge point network is owned by the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) and it is responsible for the operation, maintenance and development of the network. The public network is operated on a commercial basis and the market is also open to other commercial operators who would wish to provide charging infrastructure.

Funding opportunities for the installation of charge point infrastructure in Great Britain and in the North are provided by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV). My officials continue to liaise with OZEV and the Department for Transport and I have also written to British Ministers to ascertain what support will be provided to Devolved Administrations in line with the British Government's commitment to end the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2030.

The British Government has just recently announced that grant funding to provide charge points for residents without off-street parking will continue for 2021/22 and £20 million will be available for local authorities including local councils here in the North.

I have also been able to support the EU INTERREG VA Funded FASTER electric vehicle network project. The project is to install a total of 73 EV Rapid charging points across the island of Ireland and the West of Scotland by 31 March 2023. I am pleased to be able to inform you that my Department will be contributing €513,945 (£455,371) of Match Funding towards the FASTER project.

My officials are currently considering the future requirements in terms of public charge point infrastructure and will continue to liaise with ESB to consider any specific requests to ensure the public network can meet the needs of EV owners now and in future. Officials continue to engage with OZEV regarding funding for “Project Rapid” and we are awaiting confirmation as to whether it applies in the North at this time, and/or if it is allocated via the Barnett Consequential.

In respect of the consequences of a lack of investment in this area, including for a net carbon-zero target and encouragement of new electric vehicle users, my Department has been leading a Transport Working Group, set up to inform the transport elements of the Department for the Economy’s Energy Strategy which is currently under development. A number of key areas have been identified for consideration including the electrification of transport. I look forward to considering these proposals to help deliver a change in the way we travel that also helps us to tackle the climate crisis.