EV Charging Point Grants Now Available to All Irish Households, No Car Necessary
Added: (Fri Jul 22 2022)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
In a recent change announced by the government of Ireland, all households are now eligible for grants for the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging points. This means that even those who don't own an electric car can take advantage of the growing infrastructure and reduce their carbon footprint.
Eamon Ryan T.D., Minister for Transport, announced on 21 July 2022 a series of grants and initiatives that will make it easier to switch to electric cars (EVs) during the Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland's launch.
Minister Ryan announced that the grant for home chargers has been expanded to allow homeowners and tenants to apply, regardless of whether or not they have an EV. A new apartment charging grant will allow people who live in multi-unit apartments to charge their EVs.
An additional trial was also announced to encourage and promote electrification in the commercial fleet. This will allow businesses to try an EV for free for at least three consecutive months. The new funding will be available to fund the installation of a network of public chargers for members and guests of sports clubs throughout Ireland.
Below is a complete list of the new grants and initiatives announced on July 21, 2022:
Launch of the Apartment Charging Grant
The most cost-effective and easiest way to charge electric cars is residential charging. It is expected to account for 80% of all charging requirements. The EV Apartment Charging grant was launched today for those dwellings that do not have a driveway, such as apartments, duplexes, and mixed developments. You can find more information here.
Extensions to the EV Home Charger Grant
The EV Home Charger grant has been expanded. This grant will be available to homeowners and tenants, regardless of whether or not they have an electric vehicle. These grants can be used to rent or visit rented accommodation. More information is available on the SEAI webpage here.
Register for EV Smart Charger
The Home Charger grant will now only fund Smart Chargers starting in September 2022. This will increase safety, reduce excessive electrical demand, and allow for better integration with renewable energy resources. This page is for installers and manufacturers who wish to register their products.
Vehicles - EV Commercial Fleet Trial
Today's launch of a new trial in Ireland promotes and encourages the electrification of the commercial fleet. Businesses can test an EV for a minimum of three months free of charge. This trial is designed to demonstrate, using real-world evidence, the advantages, savings, suitability, and viability of EVs for commercial use. For more information and to apply, please visit the SEAI website.
Initiatives in-progress
Sports Clubs can apply for a Destination Charging Grant
Funding will be provided by the Shared Island Sports Club grant to help install public charging stations in local communities through local clubs, subject to certain criteria. The grant will be funded by the Government's Shared Islands Fund and will work on an all-island basis. It will provide grant funding through National Sports Governing Bodies for eligible clubs and centres to defray the costs of installing public EV charging points.
EV Charging Infrastructure
The draft National EV Strategy was subject to public and stakeholder consultation. Over 14,000 people responded to the online questionnaire and detailed written submissions were received from individuals and organizations. The final strategy will be published later in the year, and the responses and submissions received during the consultation are being evaluated. The final strategy will include an implementation plan that will outline a path for the delivery of a national EV charging infrastructure.
Grant for the re-opening of Electric Small Public Service Vehicle (eSPSV)
The eSPSV grant aims to allow owners of small public service vehicles such as taxis and hackneys to purchase electric vehicles. This will promote the electric experience for both drivers and passengers in Ireland. In 2022, approximately €15m was set aside to help SPSVs switch to electric. The scheme is under constant review.
In April, the scheme was closed to new applicants to allow drawdown and payment for provisional grant offers. These grants usually have a three-month time limit. The NTA will manage the scheme, and it will reopen for applicants on August 1, 2022.
eVans
An announcement will be made later in the year about an expansion of the grant for electric vans to include large panel vans.
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland was launched by Eamon Ryan T.D., Minister for Transport. This Office will play a key role in Ireland's transition toward zero-emission vehicles. This Office will support the transition by working across government, industry, and society.
It will be responsible for:
Supports for zero-emission vehicles
Infrastructure delivery via policy guidance and funding
Strategy and policy leadership, including taxation, regulation
Research and innovation are keys to our success.
Communications and engagement with the public and stakeholders
The full range of requirements for individuals and businesses in Ireland must be met to ensure a fair transition to large-scale zero-emission vehicle use. It includes ensuring that the transition is just for rural, Gaeltacht, and Islands residents.
Accessible, safe, secure, and accessible, the existing and future EV charging infrastructure must serve all citizens, older persons, and those with disabilities. A range of policy measures will also be examined to increase EV adoption. It could include ensuring that EVs are more widely accessible across society.
Minister Ryan spoke about the launch.
“We have to transform the way we get around our country so that we do not rely on expensive, carbon emitting and polluting fossil fuels. One of the ways we can help decarbonise our transport sector is by accelerating the uptake of electric vehicles, both passenger cars, and the commercial fleet. This new Office will be at the heart of this transformation, charged with supporting consumers, the public sector, and businesses to continue to make the switch to electric vehicles and to lead on the delivery of our ambitious target under the Climate Action Plan 2021 to have 945,000 electric vehicles in the Irish fleet by 2030.
We are already seeing that there is an appetite for this switch with the increases in the purchase of electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles over the past year. I hope that the grants and initiatives we are launching today, along with Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland, will make it easier for people and businesses to continue to make the switch and then to be able to charge their cars, no matter where they live.”
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland was founded on 21 July 2022 as per the recommendations of the Electric Vehicle Policy Pathway Working Group Report, September 2021, and Action 274 from the Climate Action Plan 2021.
Each pillar will be supported by a central Programme Management Office. Oversight for Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland is provided by a collaborative governance framework that includes representatives from the Department of Transport, SEAI, NTA, TII, and ESB Networks through its:
Assurance Board provides oversight and assurance to ensure the Office's successful implementation of its work program;
The Progress Group is responsible for monitoring the progress of programmes, ensuring that tasks are completed and reaching KPIs.
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland Ireland is currently working on additional measures to encourage the adoption of EVs. These will be announced later this year.