Saving money on fuel has come out on top in new research looking at the benefits of driving an electric vehicle in Ireland. The survey, which also found a large majority would recommend an EV to others, was carried out by ePower and the Irish Electric Vehicle Association.
When respondents were asked about the benefits of driving an EV:
- 72% of respondents pointed to the savings on fuel costs
- 61% highlighted reducing emissions and being better for the environment
- 45% mentioned being able to charge their vehicle at home
- 37% said they liked having a quieter vehicle
- 93% would ‘definitely’ or ‘probably’ recommend an EV to other people.
The survey also asked motorists about the challenges facing them as EV users in Ireland. The results showed:
- More than half (58%) see the availability of public charging as the biggest challenge
- 30% of people said price is the biggest challenge of owning an EV
- 11% cited range concerns as their biggest challenge of owning an EV
- Among those who had problems with public charging, 40% of respondents said availability is their main problem
- 23% said issues operating the units are their biggest concern with public charging
CEO of ePower John O’Keeffe says the results tally with what he’s hearing on the ground: “It’s very interesting to see over seven in ten people identify savings on fuel costs as the biggest benefit of EV driving. Set against the rising costs of fossil fuels and the surge in EV purchases so far in 2025, it’s clear that people in Ireland are increasingly ready to make the switch away from internal combustion engines, and we’re excited about what the future of driving here will hold.
“We understand the concerns around public charging, and we’re proud to work with ZEVI, which is dedicated to helping people in Ireland make the switch to electric vehicles. We’ve also made great strides in partnerships with local authorities, shopping centre operators and leisure facilities like racecourses and hotels to help increase the rollout of chargers. The availability of public charging facilities is key to a wider adoption of EV driving, and we’re looking forward to playing our part in improving the service in the coming years”.
