Charging an electric vehicle at home is significantly cheaper than using public chargers—and far cheaper than buying petrol or diesel. This guide covers everything you need to know about home EV charging costs, the best tariffs, and how to set up home charging.
How Much Does It Cost to Charge an EV at Home?
The cost depends on your electricity tariff and your car's battery size.
Cost Per Full Charge (Home)
| Car | Battery Size | Cost (Day Rate) | Cost (Night Rate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Leaf | 40 kWh | €12.80 | €7.60 |
| VW ID.3 | 58 kWh | €18.56 | €11.02 |
| Tesla Model 3 | 60 kWh | €19.20 | €11.40 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 6 | 77 kWh | €24.64 | €14.63 |
| BMW iX | 105 kWh | €33.60 | €19.95 |
Based on day rate of €0.32/kWh and night rate of €0.19/kWh
Most EV owners don't charge from empty to full each time. A typical weekly charge of 30 kWh costs €5.70-€9.60 depending on tariff.
Annual Charging Costs
For an average driver covering 15,000 km per year:
| Scenario | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Home charging (night rate) | €450-€550 |
| Home charging (day rate) | €750-€900 |
| Public charging (mix) | €900-€1,200 |
| Petrol equivalent | €2,000-€2,500 |
Home night-rate charging costs approximately 75% less than petrol.
EV-Specific Electricity Tariffs
Several suppliers offer tariffs designed for EV owners with extra-cheap night rates:
Current EV Tariffs
| Supplier | Night Rate | Night Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric Ireland Home Electric+ | ~19c/kWh | 11pm-8am | Smart meter required |
| SSE Airtricity EV | ~17c/kWh | 11pm-8am | Smart meter required |
| Bord Gáis Smart EV | ~18c/kWh | 11pm-8am | Smart meter required |
| Energia Smart | ~20c/kWh | 11pm-8am | Smart meter required |
Rates are approximate and change periodically.
How EV Tariffs Work
EV tariffs are time-of-use tariffs with particularly low night rates. You're not restricted to charging your car—all electricity used during night hours gets the cheap rate.
This benefits EV owners who can charge overnight, but also anyone who can shift usage to night hours (dishwashers, washing machines, immersion heaters).
Do You Need an EV Tariff?
Not necessarily. Compare:
- Standard time-of-use smart tariff
- Specific EV tariff
- Your current tariff with night rate
Sometimes a general smart tariff is just as cheap as an EV-specific one. The label "EV tariff" is marketing—what matters is the actual rates.
Home Charger Installation
Charger Types
3-pin plug (slow):
- Uses standard socket
- Charges at ~2.3kW
- Full charge takes 15-20 hours
- Fine for occasional use, not recommended as primary charging method
Dedicated home charger (fast):
- Hardwired installation
- Charges at 7kW (single-phase) or 22kW (three-phase)
- Full charge takes 4-8 hours (7kW)
- Recommended for regular home charging
Home Charger Costs
| Component | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Charger unit | €400-€900 |
| Installation | €300-€600 |
| Electrical upgrades (if needed) | €200-€500 |
| Total typical cost | €700-€1,500 |
Some chargers are "smart" with app control, scheduling, and energy monitoring. Basic chargers are cheaper but offer less control.
SEAI Home Charger Grant
SEAI offers a grant of up to €300 towards home charger installation.
Requirements:
- You own an eligible EV (battery electric or plug-in hybrid)
- Charger is installed at your home
- Installation by a Safe Electric registered contractor
- Apply through SEAI after installation
The grant reduces a typical €1,000 installation to €700.
Smart Meter and EV Charging
A smart meter is essential for accessing EV tariffs. Without one, you can't get time-of-use pricing.
How Smart Meters Help EV Owners
- Accurate billing: Pay for exactly what you use at each rate
- Data access: See your charging costs in detail
- Tariff flexibility: Access day/night/peak pricing
If you don't have a smart meter, request one from ESB Networks (free installation).
Scheduling Charging
Most EVs and smart chargers let you schedule charging to start at specific times:
In-car scheduling:
- Set the car to start charging at 11pm
- Easiest method if you plug in when you get home
Charger scheduling:
- Set the charger to deliver power only during off-peak hours
- Works regardless of car settings
App scheduling:
- Control via smartphone app
- Set different schedules for different days
Day Rate vs Night Rate Charging
The savings from night rate charging are substantial:
| Annual Driving | Day Rate Cost | Night Rate Cost | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10,000 km | €580 | €345 | €235 |
| 15,000 km | €870 | €517 | €353 |
| 20,000 km | €1,160 | €690 | €470 |
Over a typical 8-year EV ownership period, night rate charging saves €2,500-€4,000 compared to day rate.
Public Charging vs Home Charging
How do public charging costs compare?
Public Charging Costs
| Network | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ESB (standard) | €0.37/kWh | 22kW AC chargers |
| ESB (fast) | €0.48/kWh | 50kW DC chargers |
| Ionity | €0.69/kWh | Ultra-rapid 350kW |
| Tesla Supercharger | €0.45-€0.55/kWh | Tesla vehicles |
Public charging costs 2-4 times more than home night-rate charging.
When Public Charging Makes Sense
- Long journeys beyond home range
- No home charging available (apartment dwellers)
- Occasional top-ups when needed
For daily driving, home charging is far more economical.
Charging an EV in an Apartment
If you don't have a driveway, home charging is more complicated but not impossible:
Options
Workplace charging: Many employers offer free or cheap charging
Communal charging: Some apartment complexes install shared chargers
Street charging: Increasing availability of on-street residential chargers
Public charging: Use nearby public chargers regularly
Extension lead: Not recommended for regular use (safety and efficiency concerns)
Future Solutions
Demand for apartment/rental charging solutions is driving innovation:
- Lamp post chargers
- Pop-up chargers
- Induction charging
- Community charging schemes
Calculating Your EV Running Costs
Step 1: Find Your Efficiency
Check your car's energy consumption:
- Most EVs: 15-20 kWh per 100 km
- Efficient EVs (e.g., Ioniq 6): 13-16 kWh per 100 km
- Larger EVs (e.g., BMW iX): 18-22 kWh per 100 km
Step 2: Estimate Annual Distance
How many kilometres do you drive per year? Average is about 15,000 km.
Step 3: Calculate Energy Needed
Annual km ÷ 100 × kWh per 100 km = Annual kWh
Example: 15,000 km ÷ 100 × 17 kWh = 2,550 kWh
Step 4: Apply Your Tariff
Annual kWh × Your rate = Annual cost
Example: 2,550 kWh × €0.19 = €485/year
Comparing Total Costs: EV vs Petrol
Let's compare a typical EV to a petrol equivalent over 5 years:
Electric (e.g., VW ID.3)
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Home charging (night rate, 15,000 km/year × 5 years) | €2,500 |
| Home charger installation (after grant) | €700 |
| Servicing (5 years) | €800 |
| Total running cost | €4,000 |
Petrol (e.g., VW Golf)
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Fuel (15,000 km/year × 5 years at €1.70/L) | €11,000 |
| Servicing (5 years) | €2,500 |
| Total running cost | €13,500 |
5-year saving with EV: approximately €9,500
This excludes purchase price differences, VRT savings, and potential government incentives.
Common Questions
Can I charge an EV from a standard socket?
Yes, using the cable supplied with most EVs. However, it's slow (adding ~15 km of range per hour) and not recommended for regular use. A dedicated home charger is safer and faster.
Will charging an EV overload my electricity supply?
Most homes can handle a 7kW charger without upgrades. Older properties with lower-rated supplies may need electrical work. Your installer will assess this.
Can I charge using solar panels?
Yes, and this maximises savings. Many smart chargers can optimise charging to use solar generation. Excess solar can charge your car instead of being exported.
How long does an EV battery last?
Most EV batteries are warranted for 8 years/160,000 km with 70% capacity retention. Real-world data suggests batteries often last well beyond this.
Does fast charging damage the battery?
Occasional DC fast charging doesn't significantly impact battery life. However, regular exclusive use of ultra-rapid charging (150kW+) may accelerate degradation. Home charging at 7kW is gentlest on the battery.
Summary
Home EV charging is remarkably cheap—approximately €450-€550 per year at night rates for average driving, compared to €2,000+ for petrol.
Key actions for EV owners:
- Get a smart meter for time-of-use tariffs
- Install a home charger (with SEAI grant)
- Switch to an EV or time-of-use tariff
- Schedule charging for night hours
- Use public charging only when necessary
Ready to find the best EV tariff? Compare electricity suppliers and filter for smart meter/EV options.
Last updated: January 2026