Home EV Charger in Ireland

Level 2 charging is ideal for most people with an electric vehicle, as it allows people to fully charge their electric vehicle in a matter of hours, usually overnight, when electricity is cheaper.

While Level 1 chargers simply plug into a standard Irish type-G power socket, allowing electric car owners to slowly charge their car, Level 2 requires a dedicated charger.

Level 2 chargers, which vary in size depending on the make and model, connect directly into the electrical wiring system of your home.

AC power provided by a Level 2 charger is converted to DC electricity by a converter onboard the car before being stored in the EV battery. This DC electricity is used to operate the electric vehicle.

Level 2 chargers can have different power outputs, depending on the make and model. Popular chargers in Ireland include the Ohme Pro, providing up to 7.4kW of power, and the Wallbox Pulsar Plus and myenergi Zappi, both powering up to 22kW.

The cost of an EV charger and installation will vary depending on the power output of the charger, and the quote you receive. With the €300 SEAI grant, it could cost between €600 and €1,300 to install an EV home charger in Ireland.

The simplest method for getting your EV charger installation is to get a quote from a trusted electric car charger installer. Alternatively, you can also buy EV chargers online, and then get a fully qualified electrician who has registered accordingly with Safe Electric Ireland to carry out the installation process.

The EV charger installation process is relatively simple, and can be typically carried out in a few hours, depending on a few factors such as the type of home charger being installed.

Do you need a home EV charger?

Since the start of January 2024, an EV charger grant of up to €300 is offered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) towards installation costs and the home EV charger itself.

The grant is open to everyone – even those who don’t own an electric car. Home charge points in Ireland can also be used by visitors or at rented properties.

To receive the grant, a Safe Electric Registered Electrical Contractor must be used. To be eligible, the SEAI requires that your EV is parked off-street (at home) and that the charger is connected to the back of the home.

Properties which were previously associated with an EV home charger payment are not eligible. Those which have availed of the free ESB Ecars home charger pre-2018 are also ineligible.

The financial benefits of electric vehicles over fuel powered cars are among the main reasons people opt for an EV. In short, charging an electric vehicle — especially at home — can save you money as you can take full advantage of off-peak rates offered by your electricity provider.

EV home charging offers simplicity and convenience, with motorists being able to charge their car overnight so that it’s ready to go the next morning.

While there are hundreds of public charge points for electric vehicles across the country, they might not necessarily be on your way to your destination.

Electric cars are better for the environment as they do not require fossil fuels to function. Charging your vehicle at home can further increase the environmental benefits of owning an EV, as a solar PV system can be utilised to provide renewable electricity for your car.

Home EV charging features like a remote control allows you to power up your electric vehicle with the click of a button, and gives you more control over when to charge your EV, and for how long.   

It is technically possible to survive on Level 1 charging alone, despite the dramatically slower charging speed. For the vast majority of people, Level 2 is the easiest, most efficient and most practical method of charging their electric car battery.

Some people with a new electric car attempt to get by with Level 1 charging for a number of weeks or months before deciding to upgrade and install a Level 2 charger.

For larger EVs, it may take over 30 hours to fully charge with Level 1. Level 1 charging would only be feasible for a small minority who have smaller electric cars and who don’t make daily journeys, with the ability to charge their vehicle for a number of days before any long journeys.

Get a FREE quote for a home charging point for your electric vehicle today and join thousands of others making the leap and starting their EV journey.