2.3 Principle 3: For the majority

2.3 Principle 3: For the majority of EV users, home charging will remain the main solution

Home-charging solutions will also offer opportunities to help balance demand on the grid. For example31, dynamic power-management systems will allow existing power to be shared across more charging points. This will enable more

Home charging is the most cost-effective and convenient way of charging electric vehicles in Ireland. It currently accounts for c. 80% of EV charging sessions26, a pattern comparable

26 Dept of Transport (2021) Electric Vehicle Policy Pathway Working Group Report, p 20.

27 Govt of Ireland (2019) Low Emission Vehicle Taskforce Phase 2 Report, pp. 57-59.

28 Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs (2017) Vision on the charging infrastructure for electric transport, pp. 9-10.

29 ICCT (2020) Fulfilling electric vehicle charging infrastructure needs in Greater London and its boroughs, p. 3, p. 6.

30 Govt of Ireland (2017) National policy framework for alternative fuels infrastructure for transport in Ireland 2017-2030, p. 40

31 https://blog.wallbox.com/en-ie/benefits-of-smart-charging/

vehicles to charge simultaneously at a slower pace, without having to install additional charging points. There is also the possibility of Vehicle-to- Grid (V2G) energy-management systems. These allow plugged-in EVs to act as back-up battery storage and feed energy back into the grid at certain times to balance demand.

benefits as the home-charging option. Residential charge points should replicate the home-charging pattern of charging vehicles at night, during offpeak periods, and at a lower cost. There is an onus on national and local government to facilitate the provision of these charging solutions for citizens who do not have access to a home charge point.

MResidential on-street charge points: It is

Similarly, for commercial vehicles such as electric vans and light trucks (as well as heavier, battery– fuelled electric trucks when these become more commonly available32), private charging in depots will remain the most cost-effective and common form of charging.

expected that as growing numbers of people switch to EVs, there will be an increased need for publicly-accessible and on-street (c. 7 kW) charge points to cater for those who do not have access to private off-street parking and cannot charge their vehicles at home33.