The Government promised to end the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2030 and to introduce over 1 million electrically propelled vehicles by 2030. In the past 12 months, the number of electric vehicles has doubled. The function of the ESB's ecars programme, which was introduced in 2010, is to hasten the introduction of 1 million electric vehicles and to move transport away from the dirt, poison and pollution of hydrocarbon fuels to lovely green-fuelled transportation as quickly as possible. Since 2010, the Government has apparently given €37 million to the ESB to install these electric charge points. We have 1,200 charge points, some of which are standard and some of which are quick. If I divide €37 million by 1,200, it means that each one of these charge points will cost €30,000. There is no way anyone can expect to pay €30,000 for an electric charge point. It is just a pole with an ESB connection.

We are looking for value for money. I was lucky enough to get the loan of an electric car last weekend that I drove around Dublin. It was fantastic but I had a problem finding a charge point and a quick one to get me back home to Dundalk instead of sitting in a car park in Dublin for nine hours. I have spoken to many owners of these electric cars. The problem they face is that they have a 50-50 chance of finding a charge point and 50-50 chance of finding one where they need it. I am 100% behind electric cars but we must put a plan in place. Charging €30,000 for one charge point is not value for money.

The vast majority of electric cars will tell the driver where the nearest charge point is. The technology permits that and that technology will continue to improve. However, there is a problem regarding having sufficient numbers of charge points and sufficient numbers of fast charge points, particularly for people driving on motorways. The situation is improving and I think the Deputy will see a significant increase in the pace of roll-out of charge points across the country in the coming years.