Infrastructure

Underpinned by the strategy’s fundamental principles, and the understanding of consumer needs, delivery of EV charging infrastructure will be guided by the following understandings: 

• Home charging should be the main form of charging for most electric vehicle owners. Actions will be taken to prioritise the installation of smart home chargers and to encourage the deployment of V2G technologies where feasible. 
• Residential neighbourhood charging will provide a similar solution to home charging for EV owners without access to a driveway. It will be located in the public domain, with the aim to facilitate convenient slower off peak “base” charging option 
• Destination charging will provide for top up charging while EV users are on the go or staying at a particular destination such as Town Centre car parks, Shopping Centres, Hotels and Gyms. The number and size of charge will be tailored to suit user needs and may be Rapid DC or Fast AC or a combination of both
• En-route charging, involving higher-speed, higher-power charge points at strategic locations, will become increasingly important to cater for charging on the go. This will facilitate the quicker transition of high-mileage vehicle fleets to EV technology. It will also address range anxiety.

Ultimately, there is no one charging solution for EV users: each type of charge-point will be used at some point by EV drivers, depending on their needs and circumstances on a given trip. What is important is to deliver sufficient charge points of different types so that each user can charge in a convenient, energy-efficient, and cost-effective manner.

The National EV Charging Infrastructure Strategy outlines the need for a National EV Charging Network Plan to define the requirements for publicly accessible charging, including motorway/en-route high-powered charging, destination charging and residential neighbourhood charging. The objective is to be ahead of demand and deliver on the AFIR requirements and install EV Infrastructure that is capable of meeting user needs.

The first element of the National EV charging Network Plan is the National Road Network EV Charging Plan, which was published in May 2024. This Plan identifies the level of charging that will be needed on our national primary and secondary road network 2024-2030. It sets out how Government will, working with private industry, deliver on these ambitious EV charging targets along the motorway and primary road network in Ireland through a package of proposals on investment, regulation, and policy instruments over the coming years. 

The second element is the Draft Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan, which focuses on destination and neighbourhood charging, was published for public consultation in May 2024 with the final plan to be published in Q1 2025. This plan focuses on EV Infrastructure for Light Duty Vehicles based on user needs and AFIR Fleet based targets to 2030. With Government support and in partnership with the public and private sector, the roll out will be led by Local Authorities.