Is a home charger worth it?
A fitted 7 kW smart charger typically costs €1,000 to €1,500, or €700 to €1,200 after the €300 SEAI grant. A plug and a charger use the same electricity; what the charger buys is speed, so a day's driving fits in an EV tariff's cheap window. For a Tesla Model Y doing 15,000 km a year, moving from a night rate to an EV window saves about €174 a year, so the charger pays for itself in about 4 to 7 years.
The sums after the grant, and what you're really paying for.
Free, no obligation. One registered electrician prices a charger, not five.
- €1,000–€1,500a fitted 7 kW smart charger
- €300SEAI grant
- €700–€1,200after the grant
- about €174a year: EV window over a night rate
Payback, Tesla Model Y
| Driving a year | EV window over a night rate | Charger paid back in |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000 km | about €116 | 6.0 to 10.4 years |
| 15,000 km | about €174 | 4.0 to 6.9 years |
| 20,000 km | about €232 | 3.0 to 5.2 years |
| 25,000 km | about €290 | 2.4 to 4.1 years |
Before any difference in day rate or standing charge between the two plans.
What will charging cost you?
Four quick taps. You see your yearly cost at home, the cost per 100 km and the saving against petrol and diesel. Your number is only asked for at the end, if you want a price.
A Tesla Model Y doing 15,000 km a year on a night rate: about €407 a year at home, against about €1,783 for a petrol car.
How this is worked out
The energy is your car's real-world use per km, plus a tenth for what's lost while charging. The unit rates include VAT: a standard 24-hour rate of 34.38c a kWh, a night rate of 15.42c, and an EV tariff's cheap window at 8.84c. Standing charges are left out. Petrol and diesel are at pump prices of about €1.98 and €2.15 a litre. It's a guide to plan with; your own bill has your rates.
What else it buys
- A full battery before a long trip, in hours not a day.
- Scheduling from an app.
- The grant only covers a smart charger on SEAI's register, fitted by a registered electrician.
The install itself: what installation costs.
Home Car Chargers guides & price breakdowns
Straight answers to what people ask most: itemised costs, specifications, planning or grants, and what to check before you book.
More guides & resources: All guides & calculator hub · Technical & trade glossary · Frequently asked questions · Charging times by car · 3-pin plug or charger · Installers by county · Claiming the grant · No driveway?
Questions people ask
Is a home EV charger worth it?
A fitted 7 kW smart charger typically costs €1,000 to €1,500, or €700 to €1,200 after the €300 SEAI grant. A plug and a charger use the same electricity; what the charger buys is speed, so a day's driving fits in an EV tariff's cheap window. For a Tesla Model Y doing 15,000 km a year, moving from a night rate to an EV window saves about €174 a year, so the charger pays for itself in about 4 to 7 years.
Is charging on a plug cheaper than a charger?
The electricity costs the same per kWh. A charger is faster, so more of it fits in the cheap hours.
Home Car Chargers across all 26 counties
Requests from all 26 counties go to one vetted local specialist who covers your county — from Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick to Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, Waterford and Donegal. Pick your county below for local prices, specifications and advice.
What will yours cost?
Four taps to your yearly cost at home and the saving on petrol. Then, if you want, one registered electrician who fits home chargers in your county rings with a price for a charger.