EVs meet the automobile needs of their users without the nuisance of pollutants. It also saves money, as the need for expenditure on petrol is eliminated. And when it comes to torque and responsiveness, EVs are excellent because electric motors react faster than the IC engines in petrol cars.
EVs are also seamless to control because their fueling options allow more room for greater digital control. You can get your vehicle charged full and ready for the next day, all from the comfort of your home.
For a nation or government that banks on unconventional means of transportation like the electric car, they eliminate their vulnerability to spikes and disruptions in petrol prices and availability. There is also the advantage of a cleaner and greener environment, as well as improved public health.
Due to the many advantages of the electric car, the government of Ireland has set up a scheme to encourage owners and potential owners of EVs. The scheme is dedicated to eliminating any financial hassle that may discourage the use of EVs.
What is the Scheme About?
The SEAI EV Home Charger Grant is a government support program that finances the installation of electric vehicle charging units on vehicle owners’ property. The grant allows electric vehicle owners to get up to €600 funding support to purchase and install electric vehicle home chargers in their houses.
Who Can Apply?
Eligible Candidates
As a candidate for this scheme, you must:
- Own a new or preowned private EV.
- Have bought your EV nothing earlier than 1st January 2018.
- Have your EV stationed at an off-street garage in or around your home.
- Be able to have the charger connected to the fuse boards in your home.
- Not have your property associated with an earlier EV government funding and charging support.
- Have a Meter Point Reference Number on your electricity bill with which your home addresses will be authenticated.
- Not begin any EV charger installation before the date stated on your grant offer letter else you will be disqualified from receiving the grant.
Vehicles for this Scheme must:
- Be bought nothing earlier than 1st January 2018 to be eligible for the grant.
- Be on the grant’s eligibility list. Else, owners are to send a copy of their logbook to evgrantscheme@seai.ie to be considered.
- Either be a Plugin Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) or a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV).
- Be purchased or imported privately as new or pre owned and registered in 2018 or in later years.
- Be registered as a private vehicle.
- Be registered in the applicant’s name and property address.
- Be able to attain a speed of 100kph under average conditions.
- Have maximum tailpipe carbon(IV)oxide emission of 0g/km for BEV and 75g/km for PHEV.
Application Process
- Fill the grant application form with your Meter Point Reference Number, the Eircode of your property address, and your application ID (if you are purchasing your EV from a dealer). You can also fill the paper form with any registered EV dealer.
- On approval, you will get an Offer Letter with the grant’s Terms and Conditions as well as a Payment Request Form.
- From the date of the letter, you must install the charger within six months by employing a qualified electrician who is registered with Safe Electric Ireland.
- After installation, you and your electrician must complete the Payment Request Form. They must also give you copies of Certificate Number 3 and the Test Record Sheet.
- Upon sending all necessary documents and photographs of the charging unit and the EV (showing its plate number) to the address on your form, the funds will be wired to your account within six to eight weeks.
