5.8 En-route charging network

5.8 En-route charging network

There are already many private charge point operators that serve Irish consumers, providing both fast and high-powered charge points. Most of these charge points are stand-alone or set in groups of two to four. They are found in a range of different locations, such as petrol station forecourts, hotels, and streets80. It is expected (as in other countries) that as EV growth continues, an increasing demand will be placed on high-

In all destination charge point schemes, it is anticipated that ZEVI would provide funding for civil and electrics works, to enable the installation of EV charge points. Landowners could then consider leasing facilities to a charge point operator for installation, maintenance, and

80 https://www.zap-map.com/live/

Figure from page 55

speed charging infrastructure across the strategic road network.

Patterns of charge point use in countries with high EV uptake also suggest that demand for higher-speed top-up charging is likely to increase with greater numbers of EVs on the roads81. It is also anticipated that more private operators will enter the market for this high-speed charging provision.

En-route charging will be at the highest power, typically ultra-fast chargers with a minimum of 150 kW and up to 350 kW. This will enable users to stop and top up their vehicle charge within 10 minutes before continuing their journey.

ZEVI will place a renewed strategic focus on delivering highpowered public charge points in heavily-trafficked areas and along key parts of the national road network to reduce queuing time, reduce range and charger anxiety, and improve the EV driver experience.

Strong feedback to our draft consultation shows that a major increase in high-power charging infrastructure will be required to stay ahead of EV demand. This is also indicated by the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation. In addition to mandating an overall level of EV charging power as outlined in 5.5 above, the forthcoming requirements under the AFIR will set a framework for engagement with the private sector. This framework will establish a delivery model for Ireland’s en-route chargers. Distance-based targets for the TEN-T Network should ensure full coverage of electric charging

points along the main road networks as follows:

1. By the end of 2025, there will be at least one charging pool with at least 300 kW of charging capacity (including at least one rapid-charge point of 150 kW), every 60 km on the TEN-T Core Network. This network is coloured yellow on the map and includes the following motorways and national routes: N7, N69, N8, M1, N28, N40, and M50.

81 OECD/IEA (2018), Nordic EV outlook 2018: insights from leaders in electric mobility, p. 44 of 105.