Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 February 2026
278. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Transport the input provided by his Department or ZEVI into the development of the private wires legislation on the subject of making it possible for residents who do not have a driveway to install home electric charging points; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16109/26]
View answerAs part of the Governments ongoing commitment to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the EV charging network including Home Charging to support the switch to zero emission vehicles.
In December 2025, I, as Minister for Transport and Climate, Energy and the Environment, secured government approval to commence drafting of the Private Wires Bill. The bill will amend the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 to enable private development of electricity wires in 4 specific circumstances.
ZEVI has met with DCEE to discuss the upcoming legislation and the potential inclusion of a flexibility on private wires to allow residents without a driveway to use home charging points for on-street charging.
ZEVI is also working with the SEAI and local authorities to develop a process to support residents to deploy such a solution at their home. This will be made available following the legislative change.
Home charging is the primary charging method for most Irish EV owners as it’s convenient and cheaper for the consumer as well as assisting in the overall management of the national grid. While over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home, there is also a need for a seamless public charging network that will provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible.
As per the approved Private Wires Policy Statement in July 2025, this bill will allow for private wires to be built in 4 limited circumstances:
• To permit a private wire linking a single user of electricity to a separate singular generation asset. This connection may also include storage technologies
• To facilitate hybrid grid connections
• To allow on-street charging solutions for Electric Vehicles
• To allow a customer that self-supplies electricity to provide electricity to a separate customer in a contiguous premises
