Consumers want EVs – here’s how to help them get on the road

Other countries offer extensive charging networks, free parking and handsome grants for electric vehicles (EVs). But despite the Government’s wish to have one million EVs on our roads by 2030, Ireland does not offer any of those incentives, with grants having significantly reduced in recent years. What do experts think it will take to encourage people to go electric when changing their car?

Pros and cons of EVs

The key motivators for buying or leasing electric vehicles are environmental benefits and contributing to action against climate change, cost savings on fuel and maintenance, performance of electric vehicles, and Government incentives, says Catherine Guy, chief executive of Nifti Business.

“These are some key drivers for consumers, who account for over 76 per cent of new electric registrations so far in 2023,” says Guy. “Maintaining these will be key to encouraging more consumers to consider electric.”

Kieran Campbell, market lead at Polestar Ireland, says the current percentage of EVs on the road in the State, based on registrations year-to-date, is 17.87 per cent of total industry registrations. “This means 19,755 units so far, showing positive year-on-year growth,” says Campbell.

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When electric cars first hit the scene it felt like everyone was talking about the free charging grants and support for new EV buyers from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), says Chris Collins, country president, Schneider Electric Ireland.

“These perks were a game-changer; they made diving into the world of EVs a bit lighter on the wallet and made early adopters excited about making the switch. But although they helped to reduce the high upfront costs of buying and running an EV, they were always going to be unsustainable long-term,” Collins adds.

“Now, the debate is less about price tags and more about the practicality. If you’ve ever thought about getting an electric car you’ve probably wondered where you’re going to charge it. Waiting hours for a full battery isn’t anyone’s idea of fun. We need more charging points out there and, even more importantly, awareness that it is possible to make those long drives by planning for a short charging stop along the way.

“And not just any chargers – drivers need the reassurance of knowing they can pop into a service station and find the ultra-fast kind that can get them back on the road in no time. For people to really get behind the EV wave, we’ve got to make charging them as easy as filling up a petrol tank.”

Incentivising the change

There is a desire to move to electric, particularly for consumers, fuelled by various supports available, including SEAI grants, home-charger grant support, lower road tax and some VRT relief for certain EVs, says Guy.

“These must all be maintained and, ideally, improved to generate more enthusiasm and momentum,” she adds. “For businesses, incentives would undoubtedly help to increase momentum and activity – a favourable benefit-in-kind regime is one of the most obvious incentives. Increased supply and more electric options should also make it easier for businesses to choose a suitable electric alternative to their usual fleet cars.”

The focus now is very much on establishing consistent policies, robust frameworks and dependable charging infrastructures, says Collins. “Rightly so, as these are undoubtedly significant deciding factors in many EV sales,” he adds. “There is more consideration around on-route charging along the main arterial roads or at service stations and on expanding the availability of ultrarapid charging facilities instead of the ‘slow’ charging points still a feature in some public areas.

“Some charging locations and their supporting infrastructure will need more network capacity headroom than elsewhere. At the more local level this will mean assessing and expanding the capabilities of substations to feed data back to stakeholders in the energy supply chain so that loads can be managed effectively.”

Driving support

The widespread adoption of electric vehicles in Ireland requires a concerted effort from policymakers, automakers and other stakeholders, says Collins. “Government can help push some of this forward but real change needs to come from the private sector. Thankfully, we are seeing more private investment, interest from pension funds who see the opportunities for growth ahead.”

Campbell believes that a firm commitment from the SEAI to retain the retail grant of €3,500 for all cars under €60,000 until 2026 and a clear and aligned EV education programme for the benefits of EV ownership, debunking misinformation and proving long-term cost savings would all go a long way to increase EV uptake.