Irish electric vehicle owners are paying hundreds of euro more a year in charge prices compared with other drivers in Europe. The cost gap between countries is now far bigger than for petrol drivers.
While petrol prices across Europe differ by around €332 a year between the cheapest and most expensive countries, the gap in domestic EV charging costs is about €472. Electricity costs between countries now vary far more than fuel costs, and Irish drivers are among those paying the most expensive power prices.
Energy retail prices in Ireland are three times higher than wholesale prices, one of the widest gaps in the world, according to a report from the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Charging a family-sized EV such as a Volkswagen ID.4 at home costs around €1,132 a year in Ireland based on the IEA’s average electricity price for Ireland and on typical energy use, although some drivers pay less by plugging into night rates at home.
The electricity costs are €398 more than those in Spain, €306 higher than the Netherlands, €249 more than France and €230 more than UK rates.
Despite wholesale electricity prices falling more than 70% since 2022, Irish retail prices remain around three times higher than wholesale. Its petrol costs are now close to the European average – about €221 less than Spain, and just €65 less than the UK.
Full story Irish EV owners pay highest charge prices in the EU
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