Electric Cars in Ireland

It’s the dawn of a new era, and electric cars are beginning to get more attention and recognition globally, but what does this mean for a country like Ireland?

There has been a surge in the registration of electric vehicles in Ireland, and the government is predicting a target of 936,000 electric cars on Irish roads by 2030.

What this means that there’ll be a need for more public charging points to accommodate the rising demands. Likewise, since the arrival of electric cars, many Irish Insurance companies are also offering lower car insurance rates. We can expect that it will further influence the rate at which Irish people will continue to drive EVs.

1. Hybrid Electric Cars (HEVs)

The Toyota Prius and Hyundai Ioniq are examples of Hybrid Electric Vehicles, combining a traditional internal combustion engine with an electric motor.

Hybrids use a process known as regenerative braking to keep the car battery recharged, so the electric car’s braking system is responsible for charging the car battery.

2. Plug-in Hybrid Electric Cars (PHEVs)

The Volkswagen Golf GTE is an example of a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Car. As PHEVs can be plugged in, they’re not restricted to the regenerative braking method of charging the battery.

3. Battery Electric Cars (BEVs)

BEVs only have a battery and need to be plugged in to charge. BEVs also use regenerative braking to recharge. Here is the complete guide to save money when buying an electric car.

Charging Options for Electric Car Owners in Ireland

No longer do drivers need to queue in fuel stations waiting for their turn. With electric cars, the options are a lot more flexible, and the benefits of an electric vehicle are enormous.

• Public Charge Points – The Irish government is making plans to increase the number of charging points in the country. As a driver in Ireland, you’ll need to register your charge point card on the ESB website or via the Google play store or Apple app store. The ESB provides a guide on how you can charge your electric car and the proximity of your vehicle to the nearest charging point, should you need to recharge it.
• Private Charge Points at Home – You can install a home charge point; a typical electric car needs between 6 to 8 hours to charge fully.

Benefits of Electric Cars

• Ease Of Maintenance – Since electric cars don’t have internal combustion engines, the maintenance costs are considerably lower. As a driver, your focus would be to maintain the tyres, suspension and brakes.
• Health & Environment Benefits – Petrol and diesel cars produce exhaust emissions and pollution unlike electric vehicles.

Electric cars in Ireland are gradually replacing conventional vehicles, and they have the cheapest for car tax in the country.