INTERREG: Sustainable Transport - Creation of a cross-border EV network

Overview

The result indicator:

Number of electric vehicle registrations across the region. The current baseline value is 186 electric vehicles registered. The target value for 2023 is 2,000.

The output indicator:

Creation of a cross-border electric vehicle network to connect to the existing TEN-T EV Network.

A target value of 73 new and existing upgraded rapid chargers by 2023 has been set for this indicator. Applicants will need to demonstrate their ability to achieve against the outputs indicated and project selection will prioritise those projects which have the maximum potential to contribute towards result indicator provided above.

Project Selection Criteria

The following selection criteria will be used:

a. Contribution of the project to the defined results and outputs of the Programme.

• Your project must provide specific information on how it will meet the output indicator target.

b. Quality of project design;

• Investments selected for support will be those which demonstrate the most positive impact on carbon emissions by bringing about a shift to sustainable transport as defined by the result and output indicators;
• Projects must demonstrate how they contribute to an agreed integrated strategy for sustainable local mobility in the cross-border region;
• Contribution to sustainable urban mobility plans and air quality plans (ambient air quality directive 2008/50/EC);
• Compliance with the Alternative Infrastructure Directive 2014/94/EU

c. Quality of project team and implementation arrangements;

d. Value for money - cost effectiveness of impacting on the result indicator

e. Quality of cross-border co-operation with demonstrable added value;

f. Contribution towards sustainable development;

g. Contribution towards equality.

Eligible Region

The eligible area for the INTERREG VA Programme is:

• Northern Ireland;
• The Border Counties of Ireland (Monaghan, Leitrim, Cavan, Louth, Sligo and Donegal); and
• Western Scotland (Dumfries & Galloway, East Ayrshire and North Ayrshire mainland; South Ayrshire; Lochaber, Skye & Lochalsh, Arran & Cumbrae and Argyll & Bute and Eilean Siar/Western Isles).

Projects must comply with the cross-border requirements of Article 12 of 1299/2013 as detailed in the Programme rules.

What is the theme “Sustainable Transport” going to achieve?

The cross-border region is characterised by a predominance of the car as the preferred mode of transport, with corresponding high carbon emissions. In 2014, only the 8.8% of the cross-border daily journeys resorted to public transport and only 2,7% of the journeys were made walking or cycling. Moreover, the share of electric vehicles was very low. These figures show that there is a need for cross-border collaboration in order to jointly contribute to a more sustainable mobility in the cross-border region. Across the transport sector, there is strong added value from working on a cross-border basis as it reinforces connectivity between the three jurisdictions, leading to a more coherent integrated network, which aligns public transport, cycling, and electric vehicle infrastructure. In addition, the shared learning from across the three jurisdictions will reinforce the behavioural change, contribute to mitigating against climate change impacts in the long term through a reduction in carbon emissions.

The investment by the programme in this area will contribute to a more environmentally friendly, multi-modal and integrated transport infrastructure that will encourage the use of low carbon means of transport. The investments by the programme will complement other policy initiatives by authorities in individual jurisdictions within the region (Northern Ireland, Scotland and the Border Region of Ireland) aimed at promoting the use of public transport, environmentally friendly forms of transport, including the use of electric vehicles and the development and promotion of integrated cycle networks linked to public transport hubs within the region.

Anticipated Actions

A key factor in limiting the uptake of electric vehicles is the lack of confidence among vehicle owners about the availability of a fully operational rapid charging network. The Programme will assist the further development of a cross-jurisdictional network of charging points and associated infrastructure which is essential to support and promote increased use of electric vehicles with their corresponding beneficial impact on carbon emissions. Actions will be supported that establish and enhance existing and new networks, this will include:

• The development of the existing cross-border infrastructure for electric vehicles including upgrading / establishing rapid transport chargers and battery storage units.
• The development of the existing cross-border infrastructure for electric vehicles including inter-operability and management systems to ensure it aligns with and complements the Rapid Charger Network and enhances connectivity and cross border mobility.
• Research into charging infrastructure specifically more sustainable approaches to charging electric vehicles including the use of EV chargers on ferries.

Projects will be required to demonstrate the strategic nature of integration to provide optimal positive impact on cross-border mobility.

All actions supported will include promotion and the raising of public awareness to facilitate behavioural change in relation to the increased usage of cycling, public transport and electric vehicles.

Budget and co-financing rate

€6m million ERDF is available under this call. Successful projects will be offered a grant in Euro. The maximum intervention rate that can be applied is 85%. This means that applicants are required to bring a minimum of 15% match funding to the eligible project costs over the lifetime of the project. Please see the Programme rules for further details on match funding