To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail any plans he has to increase the (i) number; and (ii) spread of electric vehicle charge points, particularly the ultra-rapid variety.

The provision and operation of publicly accessible electric vehicle charge points is a commercial operation in the North of Ireland. Responsibility for the maintenance and installation of any commercially operated charge point rests solely with the charge point operator. Current providers operating in the North include BP Pulse, Easygo, ESB, Maxol and Weev. The market is also open to other commercial operators who would wish to provide charging infrastructure. My Department has no plans to intervene in this commercial market but will continue to provide advice to Chargepoint Operators (CPOs) on operational matters such as procedural arrangements for planning and installation requirements.

My Department does not hold information detailing electrical vehicle charging points or their locations. Relevant up to date electric vehicle charge point locations can be found on online platforms, such as https://www.zapmap.com. The relevant charge point operators are best placed to advise you of their plans for the installation of charge points in your constituency.

Local Councils have also been able to avail of funding for the installation of charge points under the Office for Zero Emission’s, On Street Residential Charge Point Scheme which my Department match funded. Derry City and Strabane District Council are leading a consortium on this work having been successful in securing funding to install 124 charge points across nine Council areas and may be in a position to outline their plans should you wish to contact them.

My Department has also set up an EV Infrastructure Task-Force, bringing together representatives from government, consumers, energy providers, industry and EV drivers to consider the barriers to enhancing our EV charging infrastructure requirements. An Action Plan to deliver a commercially led, fit for purpose, modern EV charging network was agreed in autumn 2022. The Action Plan can be found here:

https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/publications/electric-vehicle-ev-infrastructure-action-plan.