1.0 Introduction The Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23) has set targets for a significant reduction in transport emissions to include a 20% reduction in total vehicle kilometres, a reduction in fuel usage, and a significant uptake in sustainable transport trips and a shift towards active and sustainable travel modes. CAP23 acknowledges that fleet electrification forms a key part in terms of delivering these targets, with 30% of the private car fleet to be electrified by 2030. The Department of Transport published their Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy for 2022-2025 to present the pathway for the delivery of electric vehicle charging infrastructure to support the Climate Action plans targets. The Cork City Development Plan has set out a clear objective (Objective 5.22) in support of the rollout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure both on- street and within existing car parks, in addition to their inclusion in new development. This report presents Cork City Council’s Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy . The Strategy focuses on the delivery of publicly accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure to allow for the targeted uptake in electric vehicles in Cork City. The strategy makes recommendations with respect to the different types of charging infrastructure required and its spatial distribution within Cork City. The strategy has identified a first wave of infrastructure investment to be designed and constructed between 2024-2025 which will subsequently be monitored and analysed to refine the delivery of subsequent waves of investment. This Strategy has focused on the delivery of publicly accessible charging infrastructure with the ultimate objective to serve the charging needs of residents and visitors to the city. Further electric vehicle charging infrastructure will also be delivered in the city to include en-route charging infrastructure and charging infrastructure for buses and heavy goods vehicles. These electric vehicle charging infrastructure programmes are being prepared by other government agencies (Transport Infrastructure Ireland, National Transport Authority, Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland) and when combined with the recommendations of this Strategy will from a comprehensive Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy for the entire city. Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) has been carried out on this plan. The environmental report that has been developed through the SEA process is being published for consultation in conjunction with this plan and submissions will be used to ensure environmental considerations are addressed in the final Cork City Council Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy. Cork City Council intend on delivering the EV charging infrastructure as defined in this Strategy. The Strategy will accord with the provision of the Cork City Development Plan 2022 – 2028 and all relevant higher order plans. A Screening for an Appropriate Assessment has been conducted and this plan has been screened out. The impact of the plan (either alone or in combination with other projects or plans) on the integrity of the Natura 2000 sites has been considered with respect to the conservation objectives of the sites and to their structure and function. If any mitigation measures are identified as required from this process, these will be included in the final plan.
Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy - Publicly Accessible Charging Infrastructure
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