It is no secret that Electric Cars have been the best thing since sliced bread in 2022. More and more Irish motorists are going electric every week. In fact, a recent survey conducted by the Irish Journal found that 74% of 18-24-year-olds are keen to make the switch to an electric vehicle.
However, WattCharger’s research into the Irish EV market leads us to believe there is still confusion about making a successful transition to an electric car. For that reason, we'll continue sharing the latest information surrounding the EV industry in Ireland to support Irish drivers.
Today, we'll look at the top five electric cars on sale in Ireland.
#5 The Fiat 500
As we know, the Fiat brand has been synonymous with efficiency and the Fiat models are designed to thrive in an urban environment. It is no surprise that Fiat is a pioneer in the EV space. In fact, Fiat produced electric vehicles in the 1990s.
Today, Fiat offers one of the most sought-after EVs on the market, the Fiat 500. The design was inspired by the classic 1950s Fiat models - compact, reliable and nippy. The Fiat 500 has clocked in at approximately 8km/kWh and can reach speeds of 150hmph. This electric car is ideal for urban dwellers who want to get around the city efficiently.
- Top Speed: 150km/h
- km/kWh: 3.57km
- Charge Time: 4H (59km/h)
#4 BMW i4
BMW has come roaring into the EV market in recent years. As a luxury car brand, BMW was able to offer an appealing alternative to Tesla. The first model was the BMW i3, which is compact and efficient, however, the new BMW i4, which is a sedan, has proven to be much more popular among Irish drivers.
The i4 is not the most explosive EV on the market but it is a pleasure to drive. The BMW i4 relies on dual-motor technology, allowing all-wheel drive and giving it a high level of control on all surfaces. When the i4 gets a chance to stretch its wheels, it can reach speeds over 200kmph. To boot, the fast-charging 200kw battery in the i4 makes it an ideal choice for Irish motorists.
- Top Speed: 225km/h
- km/kWh: 2.68km
- Charge Time: 8H45M (50km/h)
#3 The Skoda Enyaq iV
Skoda, the Czech automobile manufacturer, is one of the oldest and most reliable car manufacturers in Europe. Skoda has proven to be a brand that has never struggled to keep up with the times. This innovation has catapulted Skoda to the forefront of the EV market with the latest model, The Enyaq.
The Enyaq comes in three modes - the iV 60, iV 80 and iV 80x. The 60 is equipped with a 58kWh battery and rear-wheel drive, while the other two more expensive models boost a 77kWh battery and rear-wheel drive.
The Enyaq is a heavy car but surprisingly scores highly under the control and manoeuvrability metrics and it has tremendous acceleration for a large SUV. It can reach up to 100kmph in 8 seconds with top speeds of 160kmph and has a charge time of about 1 hour (150kW DC charger).
Fun fact, Enyaq is derived from the Irish word, Enya, which means 'source of life'. Perhaps, this is why the Enyaq model is so popular among Irish drivers.
- Top Speed: 160km/h
- km/kWh: 1.95km
- Charge Time: 8H15M (51km/h)
#2 Hyundai Ioniq 5
Hyundai, like the majority of Asian car manufacturers, entered the Irish EV market a little later. However, this may have been a stroke of genius or down to the luck of the Irish, as Hyundai now owns a big percentage of the market.
Hyundai's Ioniq 5 is the flagship model with soft suspension for a smooth and controlled driving experience. The features and interior give Irish drivers a luxury experience at an affordable price.
One of the most notable upgrades Ioniq 5 is the battery size. It can now handle up to 38.3kWh, which is a marked improvement from the previous model. The Ioniq 5 also packs a powerful punch, it has a torque of 160KW and it can reach 100kmph in 7 seconds -- it is no surprise Hyundai's Ioniq 5 is one of the best EV vehicles in Ireland in 2022.
- Top Speed: 185 km/h
- km/kWh: 2.39km
- Charge Time: 8H (49km/h)
#1 Tesla 3
It is no surprise to see that Tesla has been crowned the champion of Electric Vehicles in Ireland for 2022. The Tesla 3 is the best-selling electric car in Ireland for a reason. Of course, Tesla benefitted from the first-mover advantage but timing alone is not enough. The Tesla 3 beats every other EV under three core metrics -- efficiency; speed and driveability - not to mention the beautiful design.
The Tesla 3 can reach nearly 150 km in just over 3 seconds and its 82 kWh battery and two electric motors quickly produce 335kW of power. it is an expensive electric car but it's worth it and WattCharger agrees with the Irish sentiment that it is the best EV in Ireland in 2022.
- Top Speed: 250 km/h
- km/kWh: 4.9 kWh/100 km
- Charge Time: 8H30M
Blog Author: Adrian Dorney