Ireland: ESB increases public EV charging prices

Irish charge point operator ESB e-Cars has raised public EV charging rates by 7c per kWh, citing operational costs and network charges, with further increases likely in October when VAT returns to 13.5%. The change affects all public charging plans across Ireland.

The new prices are 59c per kWh for AC charging (7-22kW), 64c per kWh for DC charging between 50- 150kW, and 66c per kWh for chargers over 150kW. These rates apply to Pay-As-You-Go customers. Monthly subscribers paying €4.79 receive lower rates of 54c per kWh for slow chargers, 59c for fast chargers, and 61c for very fast chargers. That means prices are still slightly lower than at the Ionity charger. The latter charges 73c per kWh at its 350kW chargers, though this falls to 53c with a €5.99 monthly subscription.

Prices are expected to rise further in October, when the current nine per cent VAT rate for public EV charging returns to the standard 13.5% VAT rate on 31 October.

Overstay fees remain unchanged at 50c per minute after 45 minutes on fast and high-power chargers, and after 10 hours on standard charge points, capped at €22.50.

According to ESB, “this price increase is being implemented in response to sustained increases in operational costs and electricity network charges absorbed by ESB ecars in recent months. The new pricing supports continued investment in our EV charger network and the continued rollout of high-power chargers, ensuring a robust and future-ready EV charging infrastructure.”

Furthermore, the semi-state company said the “new prices will remain competitive in the marketplace, particularly for customers using fast and high-power chargers.”

completecar.ie, breakingnews.ie