COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, June 08, 2026

QUESTION NO. 1

QUESTION: Councillor W. Carey

To ask the Chief Executive what provision SDCC is making to ensure sufficient EV charging infrastructure is included in all new housing developments.

REPLY:

The South Dublin County Development Plan 2022–2028 sets out clear policy requirements in this regard. In particular, the Development Plan recognises the critical role of EV infrastructure in supporting national and local climate action objectives, reducing transport-related emissions, and enabling the transition to low-carbon mobility.

For new residential developments, the Development Plan specifically provides for EV charging infrastructure as follows:

“All new multi-unit residential developments shall provide a minimum of 20% of car parking spaces equipped with EV charging points, with ducting and infrastructure provided to facilitate the future provision of EV charging points to the remainder of spaces.”

This requirement ensures that EV charging is incorporated from the outset in apartment schemes and other multi-unit developments, avoiding costly retrofitting and supporting future demand growth as EV uptake increases.
 
Planning applications are assessed to ensure compliance with these standards, and conditions are attached to permissions where necessary to ensure sufficient EV chargers are installed in new housing estates.
 
In summary, the combination of minimum provision, forward-looking infrastructure design requirements, and ongoing public charging investment ensures that sufficient EV charging infrastructure is being embedded in all newly planned housing developments within the County.
 
The 20% number in practice is currently exceeding the overall demand.  It must be noted that on-curtilage parking spaces can connect an EV charger to the owners house supply. Off curtilage or shared car parking spaces charging must be installed by competent providers and managed by the OMC's with professional monitoring and maintenance protocols in place. Currently, private power cables are not allowed in public or shared areas. 

It is not envisaged that EV chargers will be needed for all parking spaces.  A single shared charger location can charge multiple cars, which is much more efficient infrastructure use.  Therefore, the percentage of chargers needed in the future may not exceed the current 20% target.