Electric Cars Charging

EVANI has been calling for the formation of an EV Taskforce this year as we lobby for urgent action for our members.

On 4th October we met with DfI officials to discuss the ongoing issues here. At that meeting we were asked to sit on what was described as an Executive EV group that will include, DfI, DfE and other stakeholders. In a follow-up letter of 18th October, the Minister reaffirmed her offer of another meeting with us as well as a seat on this group;

I am keen to meet with you again and think it would be more beneficial if we could meet when the EV Sub-Group emanating from the Transport Working Group has been established and functioning. It is my understanding that EVANI has indicated it would be willing to have representation on this taskforce. This would provide an opportunity to get feedback on your involvement and your views on progress – Nichola Mallon

Later today Minister Mallon will officially announce the formation of this new Electric Vehicle Infrastructure task-force for Northern Ireland, at COP26’s Transport Day (see the full press release below).

We are pleased to be invited to this new group and hope that it will be the Executive EV Taskforce that we have been campaigning for – a cross cutting, action orientated, solution focused group to accelerate our transition to electric vehicles. Northern Ireland needs swift action to turnaround its unenviable position as the worst region for EV infrastructure on these islands.


DfI PRESS RELEASE

Mallon drives forward decarbonisation at COP26 Transport Day announcing a new Electric Vehicle Infrastructure task-force for Northern Ireland

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has announced a new Electric Vehicle Infrastructure task-force for Northern Ireland. 

The Minister made the announcement while in Glasgow this week for United Nations Conference on Climate Change, COP26.

The role of the group will be to consider EV Infrastructure in the context of the overarching principles of prioritising active travel (walking, wheeling and cycling) and public transport towards decarbonising our transport system.  The working group will be collaborative and will comprise key organisations who have a role to play in this area. 

Minister Mallon said:  “ I am delighted to announce today on COP26’s Transport Day, that I am driving forward decarbonisation in Northern Ireland by establishing a new EV charging task-force, to help us deliver a modern, reliable public electric vehicle charging infrastructure to provide confidence to users of ultra low emission vehicles and improving connectivity across the North.  The aim of the task-force which will represent  the views of drivers, energy-providers, consumers, councils and government, will be to inform a strategy for delivery of the necessary infrastructure to support those switching to EV use.

“Alongside the investment I have made and the match funding I am providing to our councils to help deliver e-charging across Northern Ireland, this task-force will be the driving force for the transformative change we need across our communities to deliver the scale of e-charging infrastructure required to make progress in our battle with climate change.

“I am honoured to be here at COP26 as Northern Ireland’s Minister for Infrastructure and I am fully motivated to do whatever is within my power to help resolve the crisis threatening our environment.  This is our last chance and the time for talking has long passed.   I’m here to get to work and make progress with partners across these islands and across the globe.”

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