Electric vehicle grants and financing in Ireland

Planning to switch to an electric vehicle? A range of grants and financial supports are available in Ireland to help reduce the cost of buying an EV or installing a home charger. Whether you're a private car owner, a business, or operate in the public transport sector, there are schemes to support your transition to electric driving.

Grants for buying an electric vehicle

You may be eligible for a grant when purchasing a new battery electric vehicle (BEV). This grant is available for approved vehicles within a certain price range and is typically applied at the point of sale.

• Available for new BEVs only
• Applies to vehicles within a specific price bracket, which is reviewed from time to time
• Handled directly by the dealership, who deduct the grant from the purchase price

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) grants are no longer available under this scheme.

Occasional additional supports, such as scrappage-style incentives for trading in an older petrol or diesel car, are sometimes introduced as time-limited pilots on top of the standard grant. These come and go, so it's worth checking whether one is currently running when you're ready to buy.

Vehicle Registration Tax relief

Separately from the purchase grant, zero-emission vehicles may also qualify for relief on Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT), which is applied automatically at registration rather than claimed separately. This relief typically tapers off and disappears above a certain vehicle value, and it has historically been reviewed on a year-by-year basis, so it's not guaranteed to continue indefinitely. It's worth checking current eligibility and thresholds before you buy, as this can represent a significant saving on top of the purchase grant.

Supports for public service vehicles

Taxi drivers, hackney owners and operators of other small public service vehicles (eSPSVs) may be able to access enhanced EV grants, including additional supports for wheelchair-accessible vehicles. The grant amount can vary based on the vehicle's specifications and mileage.

Grants for commercial and heavy-duty vehicles

Businesses investing in electric heavy-duty vehicles may be eligible for grant support. Funding is generally based on the price difference between an electric vehicle and a diesel equivalent, with upper limits depending on the size of the company and previous funding received.

Businesses buying electric cars or smaller commercial vehicles may also be able to access a separate business purchase grant, often subject to a cap on the number of vehicles that can be claimed per company each year.

Application and eligibility requirements may change from time to time, so it's worth checking with the relevant authority for the most current scheme details.

Grants for home EV chargers

Standard Home Charger Grant

Private EV owners can receive a grant towards the cost of purchasing and installing a home charger unit. The amount typically covers part of the hardware and installation cost, with conditions around eligibility based on vehicle ownership and property status. This support generally covers both new and second-hand EVs.

Apartment Charging Scheme

Supports are also available for properties without private driveways — including apartment blocks, duplexes, and mixed developments. This scheme encourages EV uptake in homes with shared or limited parking access.

Shared Charging Initiatives

There are also pilot programmes designed to support shared residential charging. These allow homeowners to open up their chargers for use by neighbours or the public, especially where off-street parking is unavailable.

Public charging and infrastructure funding

Alongside personal grants, there are supports aimed at expanding Ireland's public EV charging network. These are typically aimed at businesses or site owners operating near key roads, such as retailers, service areas, and hospitality venues.

These schemes often support the installation of high-powered chargers in accessible public locations, with funding available to help cover the associated infrastructure costs.

Motor tax benefits

Battery electric vehicles are placed in the lowest motor tax band in Ireland, with a fixed annual rate that is lower than for petrol or diesel cars. This provides continued savings throughout the ownership of your EV.

Green flash number plates

Zero-emission vehicles are now eligible for green-accented registration plates, rolled out from July 2025. These plates are intended to help identify fully electric vehicles on the road. They are not mandatory, and owners of existing vehicles can opt in and retrofit their current plates through approved registration plate suppliers.

Frequently asked questions about EV grants and incentives