Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail any assessment she has made of the (i) reliability; and (ii) maintenance, of public electric vehicle charge points.
Minister for Infrastructure: The provision and operation of EV charging infrastructure is a commercially led activity in the North and responsibility for its maintenance, development, and utilisation rests solely with the Charge Point Operators (CPOs). My officials regularly meet with charge point operators and key stakeholders to support the ongoing transition to Electric Vehicles.
I understand the concern some may have around range anxiety and perceived lack of public charging infrastructure, however, given the significant increases in milage attainable through a charge, with some modern day EVs able to travel well in excess of 400 miles before running out of charge, charging at home is the most efficient and cost effect means to charge any EV vehicle, even those being used in rural locations.
A 2025 survey by Electric Vehicle Association NI (EVANI) demonstrates the confidence EV owners now have in the public charging network. In 2022, two-thirds (67.8%) of drivers had to wait ‘Often or Always’ for a charger. In 2025, that figure has reduced to just 4.9%, a 62.9% change in four years, showing the progress on the ground. With regards to range and driver confidence: 9 in 10 (87.5%) are now satisfied or very satisfied with their EVs’ range, up from 82.5% last year.
Further information can be found here: Northern Ireland EV Drivers Survey 2025 – Results – EVANI
As most EV owners charge at home, in order to enable homeowners without access to a driveway avail of cheaper home charging tariffs, and meet Just Transition principles, I launched two cross pavement solutions in September 2025. Further information can be found at – Electric vehicles | nidirect
By enabling more people to charge at home, we are reducing the dependency on public charging infrastructure and ensuring the need to use this more expensive charging option is reduced. The main aim for public charge points is for destination charging (people on longer journeys) or for quick top ups.
ENDS
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