As Ireland transitions to a more sustainable future, electric vehicles (EVs) have emerged as a key component of reducing carbon emissions in the transportation sector.
With over 125,000 electric vehicles registered today in Ireland, we are on target to achieve our goal of 195,000 EVs on the road by the end of 2025.
However, if we are to achieve our target of 30% of the vehicle fleet electrified by 2030, the widespread adoption of EVs will require a comprehensive charging infrastructure network that is accessible, reliable, and convenient for all drivers.
To support this, the Government of Ireland through Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) are investing €100m between now and 2025, in the delivery of EV infrastructure, as part of the EV Charging Infrastructure Strategy.
As well as investing in EV Infrastructure, the Government are committed to supporting the transition through the continuation of vehicle incentives such as the purchase grant for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), home and apartment charging schemes, benefit-in-kind tax relief for BEV’s, VRT relief of up to €5,000 for BEVs and a low rate of annual motor tax.
Current Government supports available for vehicles include:
• A purchase grant for battery electric vehicles (BEVs).
• An apartment charger scheme.
• Benefit-in-Kind tax relief for battery electric vehicles.
• VRT relief of up to €5,000 for BEVs.
• eSPSV grant scheme – a grant for taxi drivers to make the switch to an EV.
• ZEHDV grant scheme – a grant for HDVs to bridge the gap between a low emission vehicle.
• Low rate of annual motor tax.
Green ‘flash’ registration plates will be available for zero emission vehicles from the 1st of July 2025. The green flash plates will identify a vehicle as zero emission, giving them unique visibility and promoting the green transition on our roads.
The tailored registration plates will look the same as existing plates but have an added green ‘flash’ or stripe denoting the vehicle’s zero-emission status. The green flash will be on the right-hand side of the plate, mirroring the European Union blue stripe on the left side. The usual figures and county identifiers will remain unchanged.
To be eligible for the green flash registration plate, the vehicle must emit zero emissions at the tailpipe. This includes full battery electric vehicles and, in the future, fuel cell hydrogen vehicles. All categories of vehicles such as cars, motorbikes, vans, buses and trucks which are zero emission at the tailpipe will be permitted to carry the new green ‘flash’.
The green ‘flash’ plates will not be mandatory. It will be at the discretion of dealerships and consumers whether to apply the new registration plate. For zero emission vehicles already on the roads, drivers will be able to ‘opt in’ and retrofit their vehicle with the new plate.
