Switching To Electric With Ireland’s EV Incentives
The electric revolution has arrived in Ireland, and we all need to do our part to ensure a more sustainable future for our country.
Electric vehicles are better for the environment and can be more cost-effective than traditional fuel vehicles. Ireland has invested in green energy and electric charging infrastructure, supporting private citizens and businesses in starting their EV journey. Several bursaries and grants are available to get you up to speed with building Ireland’s sustainable future, so apply today and do your part.
Together we will build a better future for our country.
Ireland’s EV Incentives For Business
Several grants and EV incentives are available for corporate customers. These grants are intended to support you financially in establishing your corporate fleet or business vehicles, which may, over time, save your business money or establish new sources of income.
Electric vehicles usually have lower running costs than traditional fuel vehicles. Electric cars typically have lower maintenance costs than traditional fuel cars and may make your employees exempt from congestion charges due to zero emissions. EV’s also contribute to leveraging your company’s CSR initiatives and promoting a strong, positive brand image for your organization.
Your employees can charge their EVs at your workplace, or separate grants are available for home installation.
Ireland’s EV Incentives For Private Drivers
There are also EV incentives available for private drivers. Again, these grants are intended to support your electric vehicle purchase, saving you money over time.
Electric vehicles tend to be lower maintenance than standard fuel vehicles, meaning fewer trips to the garage. Electric cars are exempt from congestion charges and can travel long distances on a single charge. EVs are also better for the environment, and with the ever-increasing number of EVs being produced today, you’ll have access to some of the most up-to-date technologies on the market.
There are over 1,350 public EV charging points across Ireland, or you can apply for a grant and have a charging point installed at home. SEAI grants do not need to be repaid and are non-taxable.
Home Charging Grants
You can apply for a home charging grant through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) so long as you:
- Have off-street parking
- Your property has not previously been associated with an EV home charge point grant payment
- You do not commence work before you received your Letter Of Offer
There may be other criteria depending on your building type. However, you can click here to learn about electric vehicle grants.
Apartment Charging Grants
SEAI can also support residents and owners of apartment blocks or multi-unit developments to install a home charger for their EVs.
The grant is designed for the bulk installation of chargers at a single location and supports the labour, infrastructure, and construction costs associated with this project.
FAQ
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How do I claim an EV grant?
You can apply for an EV grant through SEAI’s website. They offer an easy-to-fill, web-based form and grant eligibility checkers to see if you qualify for government support.
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How much is BIK on an electric car?
Certain Benefit in Kind (BIK) exemptions and discounts are available where the car made available to your employee is an electric car.
2023 to 2027 extension of exemption and reduction:
You may choose to make an electric car available to your employee for private use. Partial relief will apply in respect of electric cars made available between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2027.
This relief applies by reducing the Original Market Value of the car. The reductions which apply are:
- €35,000 in respect of cars made available during 2023, 2024 and 2025.
- €20,000 in respect of cars made available during 2026.
- €10,000 in respect of cars made available during 2027.
Where the relief reduces the Original Market Value to nil, a BIK charge will not arise. Any Original Market Value in excess of the reduction is liable to BIK in the usual manner.
For 2023 to 2026, an additional reduction of €10,000 can be applied to the Original Market Value.
For more detailed information on BIK please click here
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How do I avoid BIK on a company car?
Exemptions relating to the charging of electric vehicles
An exemption from BIK applies where you provide a charging point for electric vehicles (including hybrid vehicles) on your business premises. The exemption only applies where the facility is available for use by all employees and directors.
From 1 January 2025, a further exemption applies in relation to electric charging points. Subject to certain conditions, no BIK charge will apply where you incur expense providing an electric vehicle charging point at your employee’s or director’s main private residence. To avail of this exemption:
- you must retain ownership of the electric charging facility
- the employee or director must have the private use of your electric vehicle
and - the charging point must be installed at a private residence situated in the State. The residence must be the employee’s or director’s sole, or main, residence for the year of assessment.
The exemption for a residential premises charging point does not apply where your employee or director has the private use of a hybrid electric vehicle.
The exemption may apply where the employer provided electric vehicle is one that does not give rise to a BIK charge to Income Tax due to an exemption or relief available.
For more detailed information on BIK please click here
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Is insurance cheaper on electric cars?
Depending on your location, they may be more expensive. However, this is related to the relative cost of the vehicle as opposed to how the car is powered, and the savings acquired through using an electric vehicle will reduce this expense.
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Can I claim mileage on electric cars in Ireland?
Talk to your employer about how to claim back mileage on an electric car. With our eStation app, the process is quick and easy.
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Can I write off the cost of an electric car?
You can claim the full value of an electric car as a tax-deductible expense within year one, as long as it is a pure zero-emissions car.
Get The Best Value EV Charging Solutions
With so many EV incentives for green energy, there’s never been a better time to switch to electric. Contact us today to discuss your EV options.