Electric Ireland customers can avail of an Electric Vehicle Home Charger from just €149* as an exclusive introductory offer subject to grant approval.

Electric Vehicles (EVs) are vehicles that are powered, totally or partially, by electric power from batteries charged in the electrical network. 

• Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV): BEVs use only a battery to power the motor and the batteries are charged by plug-in charging stations.

• Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV): HEVs are powered by traditional fuels as well as electric energy stored in a battery. Instead of a plug, they employ regenerative braking or the internal combustion engine to charge their battery.

• Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV): PHEVs have internal combustion or other propulsion source engines and electric motors. They are also powered by either conventional fuels or a battery, but the batteries in PHEVs are larger than those in HEVs. PHEV batteries are charged either by a plug-in charging station, regenerative braking or the internal combustion engine.

Due to their relative newness, electric cars have a higher purchase price than conventional cars. However, several factors help reduce the overall cost.

These include:

• A zero rate of VRT relief of up to €5,000.
• A purchase grant for up to €5,000.
• A lower road tax of €120.
• Reduced maintenance costs (due to fewer moving parts) including dramatically lower fuel costs.  

With the current ranges of Electric Vehicles they will not suit everyone. That said, not buying an electric car because you may do a cross country commute  is not realistic. You should research the range of the car you would like to buy and the current charging network needed to support the journeys you need to make. For the majority of drivers Electric Vehicles will suit their needs adequately.

No, you should not plug your car into a regular house or outdoor socket or use extension cables as this may be dangerous. The safest way to charge an electric car at home is to use dedicated electrical vehicle supply equipment (EVSE).  This consists of an outdoor socket properly protected against rain and a residual current device type that is designed to handle DC pulses, as well as AC current. A separate circuit from the distribution board should be used to supply the EVSE. Extension leads should not be used, as even uncoiled; they are not intended to carry full rated current for lengthy periods

 There are three types of charging options:

• Home charging - 6-8* hours.

• Public charging - 2-6* hours.

• Fast charging takes as little as 25* minutes to achieve an 80% charge.

 *Due to different types and battery sizes of electric cars, these times may vary.

The Home Charge Point is installed on an external wall close to where you park your car. For most houses this can easily be installed. However if you live in apartment without your own parking space, or in a terraced house with a public footpath at your front door it can be difficult to have a charge point installed.

A full charge will cost as little as €2 by charging overnight at home using discounted night rate electricity. Please contact Electric Ireland to find out more about night rate electricity tariffs. 

The motor tax for a Battery Electric Vehicle  Motor Tax costs €120 per year with Plug-In Hybrid Motor Tax typically €170 per year. Toll discounts have been announced to begin in 2018 and is available to the first 50,000 electric vehicles with an electronic tag and this scheme will run until 2022. A maximum grant of €5,000 is available for qualifying Electric Vehicles when purchased privately and is determined by the price of the Electric Vehicle. Grants are also available for commercial Electric Vehicles with a maximum grant of €3,800 for qualifying vehicles. Full details can be found here.  

The grant has to be applied for and approved before your Electric Vehicle Home Charger is installed. Please visit the SEAI website for grant application details.

1. Park your vehicle so that the charging socket can be easily reached with the charging connector: The charging cable must not be under any strain during the charging procedure.

2. Open the charging socket on the vehicle.

3. Plug the charging connector into the socket completely. The charging process will only start when the charging connector has a safe connection between the charge point and the car.

You can disconnect your car at any time during the charging process.

If you are an Electric Ireland customer you can monitor the consumption of your Electric Vehicle with Smarter Home. The Smarter Home app gives you bill estimates and helps you manage your costs through budget notifications. You can see the electricity your home, Electric Vehicle, immersion and appliances with smart plugs are using on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.

For Electric Ireland customers we have a special offer for the Smarter Home when a Home Charge Point is purchased, together with additional offers from our partners on other products. Please contact us for further details.

Electric Ireland customers can avail of an Electric Vehicle Home Charger from just €149* as an exclusive introductory offer subject to grant approval.

Electric Vehicles (EVs) are vehicles that are powered, totally or partially, by electric power from batteries charged in the electrical network. 

• Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV): BEVs use only a battery to power the motor and the batteries are charged by plug-in charging stations.

• Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV): HEVs are powered by traditional fuels as well as electric energy stored in a battery. Instead of a plug, they employ regenerative braking or the internal combustion engine to charge their battery.

• Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV): PHEVs have internal combustion or other propulsion source engines and electric motors. They are also powered by either conventional fuels or a battery, but the batteries in PHEVs are larger than those in HEVs. PHEV batteries are charged either by a plug-in charging station, regenerative braking or the internal combustion engine.

Due to their relative newness, electric cars have a higher purchase price than conventional cars. However, several factors help reduce the overall cost.

These include:

• A zero rate of VRT relief of up to €5,000.
• A purchase grant for up to €5,000.
• A lower road tax of €120.
• Reduced maintenance costs (due to fewer moving parts) including dramatically lower fuel costs.  

With the current ranges of Electric Vehicles they will not suit everyone. That said, not buying an electric car because you may do a cross country commute  is not realistic. You should research the range of the car you would like to buy and the current charging network needed to support the journeys you need to make. For the majority of drivers Electric Vehicles will suit their needs adequately.

No, you should not plug your car into a regular house or outdoor socket or use extension cables as this may be dangerous. The safest way to charge an electric car at home is to use dedicated electrical vehicle supply equipment (EVSE).  This consists of an outdoor socket properly protected against rain and a residual current device type that is designed to handle DC pulses, as well as AC current. A separate circuit from the distribution board should be used to supply the EVSE. Extension leads should not be used, as even uncoiled; they are not intended to carry full rated current for lengthy periods

 There are three types of charging options:

• Home charging - 6-8* hours.

• Public charging - 2-6* hours.

• Fast charging takes as little as 25* minutes to achieve an 80% charge.

 *Due to different types and battery sizes of electric cars, these times may vary.

The Home Charge Point is installed on an external wall close to where you park your car. For most houses this can easily be installed. However if you live in apartment without your own parking space, or in a terraced house with a public footpath at your front door it can be difficult to have a charge point installed.

A full charge will cost as little as €2 by charging overnight at home using discounted night rate electricity. Please contact Electric Ireland to find out more about night rate electricity tariffs. 

The motor tax for a Battery Electric Vehicle  Motor Tax costs €120 per year with Plug-In Hybrid Motor Tax typically €170 per year. Toll discounts have been announced to begin in 2018 and is available to the first 50,000 electric vehicles with an electronic tag and this scheme will run until 2022. A maximum grant of €5,000 is available for qualifying Electric Vehicles when purchased privately and is determined by the price of the Electric Vehicle. Grants are also available for commercial Electric Vehicles with a maximum grant of €3,800 for qualifying vehicles. Full details can be found here.  

The grant has to be applied for and approved before your Electric Vehicle Home Charger is installed. Please visit the SEAI website for grant application details.

1. Park your vehicle so that the charging socket can be easily reached with the charging connector: The charging cable must not be under any strain during the charging procedure.

2. Open the charging socket on the vehicle.

3. Plug the charging connector into the socket completely. The charging process will only start when the charging connector has a safe connection between the charge point and the car.

You can disconnect your car at any time during the charging process.

If you are an Electric Ireland customer you can monitor the consumption of your Electric Vehicle with Smarter Home. The Smarter Home app gives you bill estimates and helps you manage your costs through budget notifications. You can see the electricity your home, Electric Vehicle, immersion and appliances with smart plugs are using on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.

For Electric Ireland customers we have a special offer for the Smarter Home when a Home Charge Point is purchased, together with additional offers from our partners on other products. Please contact us for further details.