See all Motoring NewsElectric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular and it’s easy to see why. They’re environmentally friendly, efficient and cheaper to run than fuel operated vehicles. If you're making a switch to EV, investing in a home charger is cheaper and more convenient than public charging. The Department of Transport states that over 80% of EV motorists in Ireland charge their cars at home. We've teamed up with Actavo HomeCharge to share some insights into home chargers.
How much does it cost to charge at home?
Your home charger can charge off-peak when energy is cheaper. For example, according to Bonkers.ie, an overnight charge at home will typically cost in the region of €9 from completely empty to completely full, depending on the unit rate you’re on. Home charging costs up to five times less than using a rapid public charging point. If you have a smart meter, you may be able to avail of free electricity on one day on the weekend, enabling a free charge of your EV. If you have solar panels you can integrate your charger with them for free electricity, and you can also make money from your home charger by using an app like GoPlugable, which allows people to pay for charging their car using your charging station.
Charging at a public station costs more and depends on battery size, the unit rate of electricity and the range of your EV. SIMI, the Society of the Irish Motor Industry, reported in 2022 that there were around 1,900 public chargers across 800 sites, with at least 4,700 needed in the next 3 years. The ESB operates 1,500 charge points and the rest are run by private companies. The ESB has two charging structures; one for pay-as-you-go customers, and one for members who pay a monthly fee to access cheaper charging rates. Rates for charging at public stations vary, with rapid chargers costing more. Check the ESB’s electric car charger cost calculator to see how much charging your EV will cost using a public charging station.
How long does it take to charge your EV?
The length of time it takes to charge your EV depends on the type of battery it has and where you’re charging it. If you’re using a public fast-charger, your battery could be powered up to 80% in around 30 minutes. They're usually found in motorway service stations and selected car parks, with drivers using them to top up their batteries on long journeys.
Most Irish houses have a single phase supply which means the maximum charge rate will be 7kWh. This means most homeowners will have 7kWh chargers installed at home. A 7kW home charger will charge a typical 60kWh electric car battery fully in just under 8 hours so your battery will be recharging at the same time as you are. A slower home charger rated at 3.7kW takes around 16 hours to charge.
Peace of mind
Charging at home means you can wake up to a charged battery every morning. A fully charged EV has a range that far surpasses the average daily distance travelled by motorists, so you can feel relaxed and confident hitting the road. Charging at home means you don’t have to worry about finding an available charging station during the day if you work long hours or travel long distances.
Incentives available to charge at home
Through the SEAI, the Government offers a funded support scheme where you can claim up to €300 towards the purchase and installation of an electric vehicle home charger unit (even if you do not already have your electric car). The grant was lowered from €600 to its current €300 on the 1st January 2024. It’s also worth noting that the SEAI grant is only applicable to Smart Chargers, which have features such as setting a charging schedule and can be connected to through a mobile app. If you have or plan to install PV solar panels, it's recommended to look for charge points that can utilise excess solar energy to charge your car and make sure you are producing enough energy to do it.
Getting an EV charge point installation at home
To find our more about what you need to consider when getting a charge point installed at home Click Here