Fine Gael TD for Dublin North West, Noel Rock, has called on the Government to commit to ensuring that no vehicle is ever more than 35 kilometres from a fast charger, as part of its overhaul of electric vehicle charging points.
Deputy Rock said: “Many people want to make the switch to electric cars like we have in our house. We can see this reflected in today’s figures, where the number of electric vehicles registered has trebled compared to last year. However, that’s a drop in the ocean and Government needs to step up to the plate.
“People say the main thing stopping them making the switch to electric vehicles is the lack of public charging capacity. They worry that, in an extreme case, they won’t be able to access a public charger.
“It’s never a fear in a petrol or diesel car that you won’t make it to another petrol station, and we need to make sure it never is again in an electric car. Accordingly, I believe the Government should commit to bringing about a situation where a driver is never more than 35 kilometres from a charging point.
“This commitment would, if enacted, flatten the single biggest barrier to the uptake of electric vehicles. We need to invest in the infrastructure of tomorrow, today, and I am calling on the Minister for Transport to commit to this,” Deputy Rock said.