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A Guide To Understanding Irish EV and EV Charging Incentives

A Guide To Understanding Irish EV and EV Charging Incentives

The Irish Government has big ambitions to accelerate EV adoption on the Emerald Isle. Big investment in low carbon technologies and a generous EV incentive package have led to a sharp rise in EV sales in recent years.

In 2020, Ireland doubled its investment in EV technology – from €18 million to €36 million. They’ve also pumped money into the charging network, doubling the number of charging points, both public and residential.

Let’s take a look at some of the key incentives available for EV drivers in Ireland.

ireland ev incentives - wallbox infographic

? EV Incentives

EV grants

  • Private individuals:
    • Grants of up to €5,000 are available for a battery electric vehicle (BEV) or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) purchased and registered in Ireland. Only EVs with a list price of more than €14,000 are eligible.
  • Businesses & self-employed people:
    • Grants of up to €3,800 are available for N1 category EVs (small goods carrying vans etc.). Only EVs with a list price of more than €14,000 are eligible.
  • Click here for a list of eligible EVs and PHEVs.
  • For more information, email the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).

VRT discounts for EVs 

Discounts for vehicle registration tax (VRT) are in place for BEVs until the end of 2021, and for HEVs and PHEVs until the end of 2020:

  • BEVs:
    • VRT discounts of up to €5,000 are available for BEVs registered before December 2021.  
  • HEVs:
    • HEVs with CO2 emissions less than 81g/km qualify for the VRT discount. 
    • The amount depends on the age of the car ranging from €1,500 for new cars to €150 for 10-year-old cars. 
  • PHEVs:
    • PHEVs with CO2 emissions less than 66g/km qualify for the VRT discount.
    • The amount depends on the age of the car and ranges from €2,500 for new cars to €250 for 10-year-old cars. 
  • Series production electric motorcycles are exempt from VRT until December 2021.
  • Click here for more information on VRT and here for a VRT calculator.

BIK exemption and discount 

Companies that make an electric car available to their employees for private use between now and 31 December 2020 can receive a BIK (benefit-in-kind) exemption or discount.

  • The company is exempt from paying BIK if the car has a market value of less than €50,000 or was given to the employee between 10th October 2017 and 9th October 2018. 
  • If this isn’t the case, the company is entitled to a BIK discount – the car’s market value is reduced by €50,000 when calculating how much BIK is due.

EV grants for taxis

  • Grants of up to €12,500 for BEVs and €7,500 for PHEVs are available. 
  • The closing date for the grant scheme is 31st December 2020.
  • Click here for more details.

? EV Charging Incentives

EV home charger grant:

A grant of up to €600 available to install EVSE in the home. 

  • The applicant must have an eligible new or used EV. Click here for a list of eligible cars.
  • The applicant must also fulfill the following:
    • Must have bought the EV after 1st January 2018.
    • The EV must be parked in an off-street parking location associated with the home and the EVSE must be connected to the fuse board of the home.
    • The property can’t be associated with a previous EV vehicle grant and charge point offer.
    • The EV has to be registered to the same address as to where the EVSE is being installed.
  • Both BEVs and PHEVs are eligible for this grant.
  • If your EV is not on the eligible list and you want to appeal, contact SEAI by email.

Click here to download our 'How To Apply Guide'.

How-to-apply-for-an-EV-charger-incentive-in-IrelandDownload

ESB Charging Network 

A €20 million investment scheme has established the ESB Charging Network, which operates over 1,100 public charge points across Ireland.

Membership costs just €4.60 per month, with standard charging costing 23 c/kWh and fast charging costing 26.8 c/kWh. You can also pay-as-you-go, with no monthly fee, at a cost of 26.8 c/kWh for standard charging and 30.5 c/kWh for fast charging.

  • Click here to calculate how much it costs to use ESBs charging network and here for more on becoming a member.
  • Download the EBS ecar app for iPhone or Android. 
  • Find your nearest ESB charge point here.

The Future Is Green For Ireland

With the creation of environmental task forces and strong eco policies, the Irish Government is making all the right noises when it comes to electrification. 

In 2017, the Irish Government published its National Policy Framework on Alternative Fuels Infrastructure for Transport. The policy sets out a list of targets to be met by 2030, including getting all new cars and vans to be zero emissions. 

Although Ireland has missed targets in the past, there’s no doubt it has the potential to be at the forefront of electrification. A relatively small country where around 63% of the population lives in urban areas, it’s a land built for EV driving. 

Further incentives, more effective policies, and the rapid advancement in battery technology could see a big shift towards EV adoption in the coming years. 

To find out more about EV and EV charging incentives in other European countries and how they compare to the Irish subsidies, read our complete EU EV incentives guide.