Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 April 2025
50. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport his views on the merits of introducing an app that would allow users access to all EV charging infrastructure, regardless of the supplier; if any research is ongoing within his Department into how this could be achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17937/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EV Charging Infrastructure Strategy is a pathway for the delivery of EV charge point infrastructure to support Ireland’s Climate Action Plan target to have an expected 30% of our private car fleet switched to electric by 2030.
The Strategy addresses EV infrastructure standards required to meet user needs as mandated through European regulations, the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), and Irish legislation and regulations. These include interoperability; ease of payment; reliability; and accessibility standards and safety.
Under the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), all Charge Point Operators (CPOs) have had to provide ad-hoc payment options on all installed new infrastructure since April 2024. All new charging infrastructure funded either privately or by the government will have to conform with this regulation. This ad-hoc payment capability will negate the requirement for users to hold an account with a CPO or access an app to pay for charging.
Additionally, Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland is developing a Data Strategy which will show how data will be shared with the public to help enhance the EV charging experience to ensure drivers have more information so that they know the best charging points to go to for their cars, and their budget.
The data to be made available will help already existing app service operators to tell EV owners whether the charging point is compatible with their car, the charging point’s power capacity, price, and whether it’s operational or in use at the time.
The data will be made available to information service providers through an open Application Programming Interface.
These mobile app developers and information services developers will then provide the means to access that data through apps, and to visualise it, use it and share it.
