A home charger is cheaper to run than public charging, but the install isn’t free. SEAI’s grant takes up to €300 off, if you follow its order of steps. Get the order wrong and you can lose the lot.
What the grant covers
SEAI offers up to €300 towards the total installation cost, including the charger and the installation. You need invoices for both. The scheme is funded by the Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) unit of the Department of Transport and run by SEAI.
Who is eligible
- Homeowners and residents, whether or not they own an EV.
- The beneficiary must be a private individual. A registered third party, such as a company acting for a resident, can apply if it first registers with SEAI.
- The home must be a private residence with its own private off-street driveway, and the charger, works and driveway must be within the property boundary. This may not apply to multi-unit developments in SEAI’s Apartment Charger Scheme.
- One charger per MPRN (electricity meter number), and no previous EV home charger grant on the property.
- The charger can be used by visitors or at rented accommodation.
The charger and electrician rules
Only smart chargers listed on SEAI’s Smart Charger Register are supported, and the manufacturer or supplier registers them. All electrical work must be done by an electrician registered with Safe Electric Ireland and must comply with I.S. 10101. The electrician has to issue a Certificate Number 3 and a Test Record Sheet.
Electrical upgrades such as earthing, meter tails or bonding are not grant-eligible. For a standard 12 kVA connection, meter tails must be at least 16 mm². An electrician installing at their own home can claim only the cost of materials.
The steps, in order
- Apply online with your MPRN and Eircode.
- After approval you get a Letter of Offer and an Installation Details Form for your electrician.
- Install within 6 months, using a registered electrician.
- Submit the claim: Payment Request Form (signed, with bank details), Certificate No. 3, Test Record Sheet, invoices and photos of the installed charger.
- Get paid by transfer to your own account, about 4 to 6 weeks after SEAI has everything.
No driveway? Check planning first
Charger arms or similar solutions for homes without off-street parking need either an exempted-development declaration under Section 5 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, or full planning permission, before the grant can be paid.
What can go wrong
SEAI can visit the property to confirm the installation and payment. Refusing a visit can lead to the grant being revoked or clawed back, as can problems with quality, safety, timelines or incorrect products. Missing the 6-month deadline means starting again.
Charging cheaply once it’s in
The grant helps with the install, not the electricity. A smart charger can be set to run overnight, which is where a night rate may help, and a smart meter gives you the time bands. If you’re applying for other SEAI supports as well, our guide to how to apply for an SEAI grant covers the general process. Grant terms change, so check the SEAI page before you commit.
