Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail any plans she has for the provision of electric vehicle charge points in Mid Ulster.
Minister for Infrastructure: The provision and operation of both Electric Vehicles and publicly accessible Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure is a commercially led activity in the North. Responsibility for the maintenance, development and utilisation of charge points rests solely with the Charge Point Operators (CPOs). Relevant CPOs are best placed to advise you on the position of their current installations.
There has been significant investment from CPOs in EV infrastructure over the last two years. The commercial publicly accessible charge point network now almost 700 chargers in place here, a growth in EV charging provision of 75% since April 2023. The Rapid/Ultra Rapid charging public network, which offers the fastest, most convenient method of charging has grown by over 400% here in the same period.
Local Councils have availed of funding for the installation of charge points under the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) ‘On Street Residential Charge Point Scheme’. This project, part funded by my Department and WEEV, is set to install up to 250 charge points across the North.
ENDS
Your MLA 