A Guide to Electric Car Charging in Ireland

Ten years ago, electric car chargers were considered a rarity, but today they have become increasingly common. In 2014, only 58 electric vehicles were sold in Ireland, representing a mere 0.07% of total electric car sales in the European Union that year. However, the number of electric cars on Irish roads has grown exponentially, reaching 60,000 by the end of 2022. Although EVs still only account for about 3% of total vehicles in Ireland, the surge in their popularity has necessitated significant adaptations in charging solutions.

At WattCharger, we prioritize keeping you, the consumer, informed about best practices for charging your electric vehicle. Whether you are already an EV owner or considering entering this exciting space, we have you covered. This guide is designed to help you better understand the science behind electric car charging and identify the charging solutions that are best suited to your situation. We cover everything from navigating the 1350 public charge points in Ireland to exploring options for installing your very own EV home charger. Trust WattCharger to provide you with the ultimate guide to electric car chargers.

How do electric vehicle chargers work?

If you're considering purchasing an electric vehicle, it's important to understand the compatibility between your car and the different charging solutions available. While the vehicle's utility is undoubtedly a major selling point, comprehending the various EV charging solutions is equally critical.

To understand the existing EV charging solutions, you must first become familiar with different terminology. All charging points, whether public or private, are connected to a power source. These sources accommodate different battery sizes, which are quantified in Kilowatt Hours (kWh).

The Kilowatt Hour (kWh) metric is calculated by multiplying the power supply voltage (V) by the electric current flow rate, also known as amps (A), into your vehicle. The battery's capacity is thus expressed in kWh. Vehicles with a higher value consume more energy in one hour than those with a lower kWh capacity.

As a result, it's common to see electric vehicles displaying kWh expenditure per kilometer traveled.

Here is a look at popular electric car models by kWh expenditure per 100 km driven:

• Tesla Model 3: 11.8 kWh/100 km

• Hyundai Ioniq 6: 13.9 kWh/100 km

• Dacia Spring Cargo: 13.9 kWh/100 km

• Honda e 100 KW: 13 kWh/100 km

• Fiat 500 e: 13 kWh/100 km
  
  

Electric car chargers function similarly to other chargers, supplying and directing electrical current. Typically, the current is drawn from a 240v outlet if it isn't already linked to the grid.

All charging points supply either alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC). AC is a swiftly moving charge that originates directly from the grid. It oscillates in direction at consistent intervals, akin to the pendulum of a clock.

Conversely, direct current is a power source derived directly from a battery. DC currents do not require conversion and therefore offer a more potent energy source. DC charging can enable up to 350 kW charging. It's worth noting that DC electric car chargers undergo fluctuations in electric input.

After the AC current has been connected to the vehicle, it is converted to DC and then delivered directly to the battery, usually charging at a rate of 22 kW, up to 43 kW. The bulk of ESB charging points in Ireland utilizes alternating current technology, at a cost of around €0.56 per kW.

Do I need different plugs for different car charging solutions?

When going on holidays, it's common to encounter electronic plugs that differ from those you're accustomed to. Electric car chargers, as we'll soon see, are similarly diverse in their plug varieties.

Now that you have a fundamental grasp of kWh and charging point currents, it's essential to recognize that there are four distinct types of plugs used for electric car charging.

Plugs serve as conduits for transferring electricity from the charging point to the vehicle. For compatibility with the electric car charger, the plug must fit both the vehicle and source ends.

There are four types of plugs, two of which facilitate alternating currents and two that supply direct currents.

What are the different kinds of plugs used for electric cars?

The most common type of car charging plug-in Ireland and Europe is the Type 2 plug, which uses three wires to supply electricity to the electric vehicle, increasing the power density of the electric supply. This is known as three-phase power or three-phased circuitry.

The Type 2 plug has seven pins and is widely used across Ireland and the wider European Union. Most of the Type 2 public charge points that you will find are three-phased and will provide 22 kWh charging, yielding an approximate hourly range of about 120 kilometers after an hour of charging.

Typically, this standard charging point can fully charge an electronic vehicle in under eight hours.

Type 1 plugs are normally found in the United States and do not exceed 7 kWh charging. Like the Type 2 plug, it also uses alternating current. Some disadvantages of using the 5-pin Type 1 model include slower charging times as well as the lack of a locking mechanism while the electric car is attached to the power source.

While the majority of electric car charger plugs use alternating currents, there are some that use direct currents. The two most common DC charging solutions are:

• CHAdeMO is a fast-charging system developed in Japan in the mid-2010s. By using a proprietary connector, CHAdeMO charging solutions deliver up to 63 kWh, which can add about 120 km of range in half an hour, making it twice as efficient as the Type 2 charger.

• Combined Charging System (CCS), which can be considered an advanced version of the Type 2 plug. Like the Type 2 plug, it has alternating current charging capacities but features additional charging tracks, allowing for DC and faster charging.

One of the most exciting advantages of these plugs is that they can facilitate vehicle-to-grid electrical flow. In 2014, CHAdeMO became one of the first charging point producers to publish a V2G protocol.

V2G technology is an emerging phenomenon that allows energy to be rerouted back to the power source. In theory, this will allow excess energy supplied to the battery to be recycled. With major electric car manufacturers like Ford and Hyundai producing their new models to be V2G-friendly, it continues to be one of the most exciting areas of the EV space. To learn more about V2G and what WattCharger is doing, click here.

Electric charging for homeowners

After acquainting yourself with the various types of charging plugs, you might be eager to install one on your property. However, before you commence, it is essential to have an understanding of EV home chargers and how to acquire one.

In Ireland, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) manages and implements public electric vehicle infrastructure, including the supply and maintenance of public charging points, EV regulation, and SEAI grants available to various stakeholders. Established in 2010, the SEAI oversees public charging stations.

The electric home vehicle charger grant (EHVCG) is one of the most advantageous SEAI grants. Under this scheme, the SEAI offers €600 towards the installation of a home charger. To determine if you are eligible, click here to review the home charger grant's terms and conditions.

Only a qualified electrician, certified and registered with Safe Electric Ireland, can install your home charging point, as per regulations.

How much does it cost to get an electric car charger at home?

On average, the installation costs for home charging points can range anywhere from €1300 to €2000. It is worth noting that costs can exceed these figures if additional work is required, such as excavation or the installation of cable runs to facilitate the home charging point. However, the SEAI grant outlined above will reduce the cost significantly.

Homeowners should remember that installing an electric car charger is a significant decision. The process involves applications, quotes, and checks to ensure that your property can support EV charging solutions. Although the installation itself rarely lasts more than four hours, the entire process can take weeks and should not be rushed.

Once you have your home charging point installed, homeowners should keep in mind the costs associated with charging and the electricity consumption that comes with it.

Right now, homeowners can expect to pay about €0.16 per kWh to charge their electric vehicle. As with many other appliances, costs decrease during off-peak hours, when you can expect to pay half the price, at roughly €0.08 per kWh. These costs are about €0.30 cheaper per kWh than energy harvested at ESB charge points around Ireland.

Given that electric vehicles have an average energy consumption of 0.20 kWh per kilometre, homeowners can expect to spend approximately one cent for every kilometre traveled in their home-charged electric vehicle.

The Zappi is the recommended electric car charger

Although electric car chargers use one of the four aforementioned plugs, modern consumers have a plethora of choices when it comes to home charger models.

One home EV charger that has been particularly popular with Wattcharger customers is Zappi. Zappi offers a unique spin on electric car charging solutions by having the ability to draw on renewable energy sources such as wind and solar to charge electric vehicles.

Zappi electric car chargers are the natural choice for eco-conscious consumers, being the world's first electric car charger that can draw 100% of its power from wind generation and solar solutions. An integrated app allows Zappi users to set thresholds for grid supply, optimizing green energy solutions. Zappi is an excellent choice for homeowners interested in harnessing renewable energy to charge their electric cars. Zappi also offers the option of a tethered or untethered cable, optimizing convenience for the consumer.

To further optimize your charging capacity, you may consider adding eddi, a solar power diverter, designed to divert excess energy to other heating appliances in your home. The current transducer (CT) Clamp will redirect the energy from the national grid for your own consumption.