Ireland’s Department of Transport confirmed on October 7, 2026 that Budget 2027 will raise baseline funding for EV purchase and charging infrastructure schemes by 20%, to €143 million. The same announcement ring-fences money for a new pilot grant to help households without a driveway install safe, approved cross-pavement charging. The €5,000 Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) relief for battery-electric cars has also been extended to 2028.
Key Takeaways
- Ireland will spend a baseline €143 million on EV purchase and charging schemes in 2027, 20% more than in 2026.
- A new pilot grant will support cross-pavement charging for homes without off-street parking.
- Permitting rules for cross-pavement solutions are being developed alongside the pilot.
- The €5,000 VRT relief for battery EVs now runs to 2028.
Key Figures
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| EV purchase and charging schemes, 2027 | €143 million baseline, up 20% |
| New measure | Pilot grant for cross-pavement home charging |
| VRT relief for battery EVs | Up to €5,000, extended to 2028 |
| Department of Transport total, 2027 | €5.551 billion, up €840 million |
| EVs under current taxation | 272,971 at September 30, 2026 |
| Public charging points | 3,428 at 1,150 locations (June 2026) |
What Changes
- Charging for homes without driveways. The pilot targets households without off-street parking, such as homes on terraced streets where the car is parked on the road.
- Rules come with the money. The Department says it is developing a regulatory framework and a streamlined permitting process for cross-pavement solutions alongside the pilot. Scheme details, grant amounts and opening dates have not yet been published.
- Existing supports continue. Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) still lists a home charger grant of up to €300 and a separate apartment charging grant for shared parking.
Background
The Department notes that EVs became the most popular choice among new car buyers in 2026. ZEVI expects 80–90% of owners to charge mainly at home, and it is investing €20 million in 266 new high-power charging stations on motorways, national and regional roads through 2026 and early 2027. Infrastructure delivery functions moved from ZEVI to Transport Infrastructure Ireland in March 2026.
What It Means
For Irish installers, the pilot could open a segment that grant rules have largely excluded: homes where the car sits across a footpath from the meter. Until the scheme terms appear, the safest step is to follow the permitting work and avoid quoting jobs on assumed grant values. Grant schemes often set conditions on approved products and installation methods, so distributors should check the final rules before committing stock. Single-phase Type 2 units suit most Irish homes; our residential charging solutions page outlines options, and installers stocking for the Irish market can review our distributor program.
Related Reading
- How Much Is the EV Charger Grant in Ireland?
- Can You Run an EV Charging Cable Across the Pavement? (UK)
- Is the EV Charger Grant Ending? UK, US and Ireland Status in 2026
