See all Motoring Advice Thinking of getting an Electric Vehicle? Then you might be thinking of getting a home charger too. But it's an extra cost on top of the car, so is it worth it?
The simple answer is yes. Your charger will pay for itself because it allows you to charge your car using lower, off-peak electricity rates. Bord Gáis Energy even have a dedicated EV plan that allows you to charge for even less between 2am and 5am.
You can also get an SEAI grant that can cover up to €300 off the cost of your charger. All in all, it makes sound financial sense to get one.
What are the benefits?
In a nutshell, it's handier and you'll spend less on charging.
With your own charger, you'll say goodbye to tedious detours to public charging stations and their queues. Just plug your car in at night and wake up fully charged and ready to go. Nothing better.
Charging at home is typically cheaper than at public stations too. And, as mentioned, you can take advantage of lower, off-peak electricity rates - especially if you go with Bord Gáis Energy's EV plan, with its even lower 2am-to-5am rate.
Aren't there enough public chargers in Ireland by now?
Public charging infrastructure in Ireland is definitely improving. But having your own charger is still the way to go. You get to charge your car on your own terms while taking advantage of off-peak electricity rates.
Where to get your EV charger
Bord Gáis Energy Local Heroes are a brilliant option. Book a free home survey with a Local Hero in your area and you'll get a quote for a Hive EO Mini Pro 3 Charger with a charge capacity of 7.2kW, giving you a full charge in around 8 hours. Plus, you can control and monitor the charging on your smartphone with the Hive app. And then there's €150 off your bill, of which more below...
Can you install your own charger?
No - installation is best left to the professionals. But order with Bord Gáis Energy Local Heroes and a fully qualified, vetted and trusted installer will do it for you. You'll also get a 12-month guarantee, fully backed by Bord Gáis Energy and the choice of a socketed or a tethered charging cable too. (‘Socketed’ simply means the cable is removable. ‘Tethered’ means it’s built into the charger.)
How to get €150 off your bill
Right now, you can get €150 off your energy bill when you get the Hive EV charger installed by a trusted Bord Gáis Energy Local Hero and sign up to one of Bord Gáis Energy's EV Smart plans.
To get started:
- Order your EV charger at localheroes.ie. Pay deposit to accept it.
- Once your charger is installed, pay the balance.
- Claim €300 back on the cost with the SEAI grant scheme.
- Sign up to an EV smart plan Compare our plans | Bord Gáis Energy to get €150 credit on your bill*.
*Terms and Conditions apply.