AQW 15549/17-22

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 01/03/2021
Answered On Date: 09/03/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to outline her plans to ensure the electric vehicle charging network is fit for purpose for the changeover to electric vehicle sales only from 2030.

Answer:

The electric vehicle public charge point network is owned by the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) and is operated on a commercial basis. It is responsible for the operation, maintenance and development of the network. There are currently 320 22kWh (Fast) charge points at 160 locations and a further 17 50kWh DC (Rapid) public charge points in the North. 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.

Funding opportunities for the installation of charge point infrastructure in Great Britain and in the North are currently provided by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV).

I have, however, 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. The responsibility for the delivery of projects sits with the project partners, and more specifically the lead partner, which have agreed a timeline for delivery with the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). 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.

My Department has recently been engaging with ESB on its plans to replace approximately 70 charge points i.e. 35 charge posts, to upgrade and improve the reliability of the existing public network. In addition, I am making changes to the planning system, through permitted development rights, to make it easier to expand the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.

My Department has also been leading a Transport Working Group, set up to inform the transport elements of the Department for the Economy’s Energy Strategy currently under development. A number of key areas have been identified for consideration including the electrification of transport. As part of this work my Department, is in the process of commissioning research to consider future demand for charge points in Northern Ireland. 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.

I remain committed to working in partnership with Executive colleagues and others across our islands to help deliver a change in the way we travel that also helps us to tackle the climate crisis.