Steps to buying an electric car
Congratulations, you have decided to buy an electric car. What to do next?
Step 1 - Visit an ecar dealer
The first step is to visit your nearest electric car dealer and pick out your brand new electric car, click here to view available electric cars and fleet vehicles available in Ireland. Buying an electric car is just like buying a normal car. Dealerships around the country will have electric cars for sale like any other petrol or diesel car.
The best selling electric car in 2011 was the Nissan Leaf, others on sale include the Mitsubishi i-MiEV and the Peugeot iOn. Renault has launched the Renault Kangoo Z.E., a commercial van, and the Fluence Z.E., Twizy and ZOE to follow in 2012. Nearly all car manufacturers are developing ecar programmes and within the next few years there will be a vast array of electric cars available in Ireland.
Step 2 - Claim the €5000 Government Grant
While at the dealership, the dealer will take your details to check your eligibility for the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) grant. The dealer will look after all the administration and you will only have to pay the net cost of the car (i.e. sale price minus grant). Purchasers of pure electric cars will receive a grant of €5,000, while purchasers of plug-in hybrid electric cars will receive up to €2,500. For more details on the electric car grant scheme visit the SEAI website.
Step 3 - Register online
Next, your dealer will help you to fill out the online application form to register for electric car charging. In the following days, the ESB ecars team will contact you to confirm your home’s suitability for a home charge point.
If the installation of the home charge point is not straightforward, a home survey will be necessary and you will be contacted by the ESB ecars team to arrange a convenient time and date. If non-standard work is required, the customer may incur a cost.
Step 4 - Order/buy your electric car
Once you are approved for the SEAI grant and home charge point installation then you can finalise the order of your electric car with your dealer.
Step 5 - Home charge point installation
Once you have purchased your ecar, an electrical contractor will contact you to organise the installation of the home charge point which is free for the first 2,000 electric cars sold.
As soon as your home charge point is installed, you will then receive your charge point access card from ESB ecars which will give you access to the nationwide network of public charge points. Also included in your pack are user instructions, guidelines and customer service helpline details.
Step 6 - Drive and charge
At this stage you will be the proud owner of your new electric car! You will be able to charge your car at your home charge point and the public charge points around the country.
Paying for electric car charging
Up until mid 2012, the electricity consumed at public charge points will be free of charge (although you will still need your access card to activate the charge point). The electricity used to charge your electric car at home will be paid for in the normal way via your domestic electricity account.
When fees are introduced for energy consumed at public charge points, topping up your public charge point account will be just like topping up a mobile phone. Using an online platform you decide how much electricity you would like to purchase, and from which electricity supplier. A full charge at a public charge point during the day will cost in the region of €3-5. Each time you present your charge point access card at a charge point your details will be registered and the value of the charge you draw for your car will be deducted from the pre-paid amount on your card. You will be alerted by e-mail and SMS message close to the time you need to top up.
Fast charge points are available throughout the country and can be located on the electric car charge point map. At the moment, similar to public charging, there is no payment system in place up until mid 2012
Any queries, please email ecars@esb.ie Alternatively, at each charge point there are helpline details should you need assistance.