New car sales show a substantial increase in EVs and Plug-In Electric Hybrids, 811 EVs and 301 plug-ins sold in the month of January representing a combined market share of 3.4%
New car sales figures confirm that electric cars are on the rise but how do the most popular models compare asks Geraldine Herbert
What are the best selling Evs in Ireland?
Based on Sales for the Month of January the five best selling electric cars in Ireland in order are
| Make | Model |
| HYUNDAI | KONA |
| NISSAN | LEAF |
| RENAULT | ZOE |
| HYUNDAI | IONIQ |
| BMW | I3 |
How do they compare on price?
| Make | Model | Starting Price |
| RENAULT | ZOE | €24,990.00 |
| NISSAN | LEAF | €28,690.00 |
| HYUNDAI | IONIQ | €29,245.00 |
| HYUNDAI | KONA | €37,630.00 |
| BMW | I3 | €46,649.00 |
Well priced, spacious and family friendly, the Kona Electric will give a much-needed boost to EV sales in Ireland.
Which car has the best range?
| Make | Model | Battery Capacity | Range |
| HYUNDAI | KONA | 64kW | 449 kms |
| RENAULT | ZOE | 41kW | 300 kms |
| NISSAN | LEAF | 40kW | 270 kms |
| BMW | I3 | 42.2kWh. | 260 kms |
| HYUNDAI | IONIQ | 28kW | 204 kms |
How much space is in the boot?
| Make | Model | Boot space (seats up) |
| HYUNDAI | IONIQ | 455 litres |
| NISSAN | LEAF | 435 litres |
| RENAULT | ZOE | 338 litres |
| HYUNDAI | KONA | 332 litres |
| BMW | I3 | 260 litres |
How fast are they?
| Make | Model | 0 – 100 km | Top Speed kms |
| HYUNDAI | IONIQ | 9.9 | 165 |
| HYUNDAI | KONA | 7.6 | 154 |
| BMW | I3 | 7.3 | 150 |
| NISSAN | LEAF | 7.9 | 144 |
| RENAULT | ZOE | 13.2 | 135 |
Size wise how do they compare?
| Make | Model | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase |
| NISSAN | LEAF | 4490 mm | 1788 mm | 1530 mm | 2700 mm |
| HYUNDAI | IONIQ | 4470 mm | 1820 mm | 1450 mm | 2700 mm |
| HYUNDAI | KONA | 4180 mm | 1800 mm | 1570 mm | 2600 mm |
| RENAULT | ZOE | 4084 mm | 1730 mm | 1562 mm | 2588 mm |
| BMW | I3 | 4011 mm | 1775 mm | 1598 mm | 2570 mm |
A new Nissan Leaf is sold every 10 minutes across Europe
What incentives are in place for Ev drivers?
*€5,000 VRT rebate – new electric vehicles registered before December 2021 are eligible for VRT relief up to €5,000. With the 14% rate of VRT applied to electric vehicles, this means EVs have a tax-free value of up to €35,714. For plug-in hybrids, the rebate is €2,500 and on conventional hybrids, it is €1,500.
*€5,000 SEAI New vehicle purchase grant – – If you buy your new EV you can get a grant of up to €5,000 towards the cost. A grant of €2,500 is available on plug-in hybrids and €1,500 on conventional hybrids.
€600 Home charger installation grant – Buyers of both new and second-hand electric cars can avail of a government grant to install a charger for the vehicles in their home. The grant will support the cost of installing a home charger for an electric vehicle up to a maximum of €600. On carcharger.ie, the cost for a basic 16-amp charger plus installation, cabling and VAT is €1049, or €449 with the grant included.
Reduced annual road tax – Electric Vehicles Lowest rate of motor tax at €120 per annum for a BEV is €120 per annum and typically €170 per annum for a PHEV.
Free public charging – There are approximately 1,200 public charge points across the island of Ireland and these are free to use with an ESB eCars access card. Owners of Plug-in hybrids and Evs are eligible to apply for one.
Reduced price tolls – There is a 50% toll discount for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and a 25% toll discount for plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) on some tolls.
0% benefit in kind – BIK – Battery Electric Cars are eligible for 0% BIK over three years.
Free or reduced parking fees – Some local authorities are providing free or reduced parking.
100% Accelerated Capital Allowance – There is a 100 per cent year one capital write down on Evs and charge equipment.
Geraldine Herbert
13th February 2019
