By M10News Tech Desk | October 21 2025 up
Electric vehicle (EV) owners in Ireland are facing some of the highest home charging costs in Europe, according to new research from DoneDeal Cars.
The analysis shows that charging a family-sized EV, such as a Volkswagen ID.4, at home costs around €1,132 per year in Ireland. This is €398 more than in Spain, €306 more than in the Netherlands, €249 more than in France, and €230 more than in the UK. Only Germany, at €74 more annually than Ireland, reported higher domestic EV charging costs.
Why Ireland Is So Expensive
The figures are based on average household electricity prices from the International Energy Agency (IEA) and assume typical energy use for EVs. The IEA recently reported that Irish retail energy prices are three times higher than wholesale rates, making them among the highest in the world.
Household electricity in Ireland now averages around €0.45 per kWh, compared with just €0.11/kWh in Hungary and Bulgaria. The energy component of bills sits at €0.33/kWh, the highest in Europe.
Experts point to a combination of network charges, grid constraints, legacy renewable subsidies, and heavy reliance on gas as key factors driving costs for Irish households.
EV Savings Still Present, But Premium Remains
Despite high electricity costs, DoneDeal Cars notes that EVs still offer savings compared to petrol vehicles. A family-sized petrol car typically costs significantly more to run, with Irish EV owners saving around €768 annually on average.
However, the analysis highlights that the gap in domestic EV charging costs across Europe is now much larger than for petrol. While petrol prices vary by about €332 per year between the cheapest and most expensive countries, home EV charging costs differ by around €472 annually, roughly 50% higher.
“Electricity costs now vary far more than fuel costs, and Irish drivers are among those paying the highest prices,” the report says.
Expert Commentary
Paddy Comyn, Head of Automotive Content at DoneDeal Cars, said:
“EVs still save money overall, but Irish drivers are paying a clear premium because we have the most expensive electricity in Europe.”
The findings come amid growing interest in electric vehicles in Ireland, driven by government incentives, stricter emissions targets, and rising petrol prices. The high domestic charging costs could affect EV adoption and running costs for Irish households in the coming years.
M10News Tech Desk | Contact: info@m10news.com
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