Electric vehicles

Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland has a target under the Climate Action Plan 2023 to have 30% of our private car fleet switched to electric by 2030.

This page gives an overview of some of the grant supports and information available for electric vehicle owners and buyers.

An electric vehicle (EV) has an electric motor that is powered by a battery which is charged by an external source of electricity.

There are 2 main types of EVs:

• Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) –are powered by a battery only.
• Hybrid electric vehicles –have an engine and electric motor – one powered by a battery and the other is fuel-powered and generally uses petrol or diesel.

You may be able to get a grant from the Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI) if you buy a battery-powered electric vehicle (BEV) that meets specific standards.

Since 1 July 2023, you can get a grant of up to €3,500 for battery-powered electric vehicles (BEV). (Previously, the grant was €5,000).

The grant for BEVs only applies to new cars with a full price of between €14,000 and €60,000.

Your car dealer will apply for the grant for you, and then deduct the grant amount from the total price of your car.

Since 1 January 2022, the grant of €2,500 for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) has been removed.

Electric vehicle grants for taxis, hackneys, and limousines (SPSV)

If you are a driver of a small public service vehicle (SPSV), you may be able to get a grant from the National Transport Authority. You can get a grant of up to €10,000 to buy a new, full battery eSPSV, with an additional €2,500 available for models that are wheelchair accessible. You may get double the normal grant if you scrap an older, more polluting or high mileage car and switch to electric. The closing date for applications is 30 November 2023. More information is available on the National Transport Authority website.

Home Charger Grant Scheme

You can also apply for the Home Charger Grant Scheme, for up to €600 towards the installation costs of a home charger.

EV Apartment Charging Grant

The EV Apartment Charging Grant is for dwellings which do not have access to a driveway such as apartments, duplexes as well as mixed developments.

Electric Vehicle Public Charge Point Grant

There is an Electric Vehicle Public Charge Point Grant to support the roll-out of charge points on public streets, or in public car parks which provide overnight parking for local residents. You can contact your local authority for more information.

Charging an electric vehicle away from home

There are external charge points throughout the country available through the ESB ecars network. There are several private charge point operators with sites in Ireland.

If you own an electric vehicle, you may be able to get reduced toll fares through the Low Emissions Vehicle Toll Incentive (LEVTI) Scheme.

The scheme refund amount depends on your vehicle type, vehicle class (private, light goods vehicle, SPSV and HDV), the toll location and the time you went through it. You must get an EV tag. The scheme is expected to run until 31 December 2023 or until 50,000 drivers use it.

You can get more information on how the LEVTI scheme works in the FAQs (pdf) and on etoll.ie.

The annual motor tax rate for an electric vehicle is €120 per year for a Battery Electric Vehicle. Electric vehicles are the lowest tax band for motor tax.

Read more about electric vehicles and grants for electric vehicles on the SEAI website. You can get a full list of electric vehicle grants and schemes available. You can also read about other financial supports for owners of electric vehicles, such as Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) relief. Zero Emissions Ireland has information for the public and for businesses.