EV Charger Options for Small Irish Businesses

As electric vehicles become more common across Ireland, many small business owners are starting to consider installing EV chargers on their premises. Whether you're a café owner in Cork, run a small office in Dublin, or manage a local retail shop, offering EV charging can benefit your staff, customers, and your brand.

In this guide, we break down the best EV charger options for small Irish businesses, explore typical installation considerations, and highlight grants and incentives available to help reduce costs.

Why Small Businesses Are Installing EV Chargers

Adding EV charging stations isn’t just for big corporations or fleet depots anymore. Small businesses in Ireland are beginning to see the advantages too:

• Attract and retain eco-conscious customers
• Offer a perk to staff who drive electric vehicles
• Future-proof your premises as EV adoption continues to grow
• Enhance your sustainability profile and corporate responsibility
• Generate additional revenue (if using paid public charging)

Whether you're aiming to install a single charger or preparing for future expansion, the options are more flexible and affordable than ever.

Types of EV Chargers Suitable for Small Businesses

When selecting an EV charger for your business, you'll mainly choose between Mode 2 and Mode 3 charging, with Mode 3 (AC fast charging) being the most practical.

Here are the most common types:

1. Wall-Mounted Chargers (7–22kW)

These are ideal for smaller car parks or forecourts with limited space. A 7.4kW unit will charge most EVs fully within 6–10 hours (perfect for staff vehicles), while a 22kW unit is suitable if your premises has three-phase power.

2. Tethered vs Untethered Units

• Tethered chargers have a cable attached, making them more convenient.
• Untethered units are neater and allow users to plug in their own cable.

3. Smart Commercial Chargers

Some commercial EV chargers come with built-in billing software, access controls, and usage reporting, ideal for businesses that want to track consumption or offer paid charging to the public.

4. Dual Socket Chargers

For sites with limited wall space but a need to serve more than one vehicle at a time, dual-socket chargers can be a smart and space-saving option.

Recommended EV Charger Brands for Irish Businesses

At WattCharger, we work with the most trusted EV charging brands available in Ireland. These units are reliable, SEAI grant-compliant, and come with smart features ideal for business use.

• Hypercharger DC Chargers – ultra-fast charging (75–150 kWh), dual-port support, flexible payment options, smart cloud management, and future-proof scalability with wide voltage range and OCPP compatibility.
• Zappi v2.1 – Ideal for businesses with solar PV setups
• Ohme Commercial – Simple interface and strong smart tariff compatibility
• EO Genius – Designed for fleets or business car parks, with excellent backend controls

We’ll help match your site with the best solution depending on your power capacity, space, and intended usage.

Do You Need Permission or Planning?

In most cases, planning permission is not required, especially if the charger is installed within the boundary of your property and isn’t facing a public road. However, if you’re a tenant or your property is leased, you’ll need written permission from the landlord.

WattCharger can advise you on permissions, load balancing, and safety standards during your free site assessment.

What Does Installation Involve?

A typical small business EV charger install involves:

• A site assessment (to check your electrical capacity and layout)
• Charger mounting (wall or pedestal options available)
• Cable routing and connections
• Optional network setup for smart control or billing
• Full testing, commissioning, and documentation

We’ll provide a full quote and expected timeline before installation begins.

Grants & Supports Available in Ireland

The SEAI Community and Commercial Grants can help offset the cost of charger installation. These are separate from the home grant and may vary depending on:

• The nature of your business
• Whether you are installing chargers for fleet, staff, or public use
• Whether the project has sustainability goals

Tip: Businesses involved in community or tourism initiatives (like B&Bs or remote cafés) may also be eligible under rural development grants.

Speak to our grant specialists, we’ll help you apply and make sure your install meets the necessary specifications.

Should You Offer Public Charging?

Some small businesses are choosing to make their charger available to the public using networked platforms like EasyGo or Monta. This can create an extra income stream or encourage new footfall. Especially for cafés, salons, and visitor centres.

If this interests you, we can install a network-ready charger and integrate it with public charging maps and payment systems.

EV Charging: A Smart Business Move

EV charging is no longer a "nice-to-have" it's quickly becoming an expected facility, much like free Wi-Fi or contactless payments. For Irish small businesses, getting ahead now can bring long-term advantages in customer loyalty, sustainability targets, and staff benefits.

At WattCharger, we’re here to guide you through the entire process—from product selection to paperwork to installation.

Book a Free Business Site Assessment

If you’re ready to explore EV charger options for your small business, contact WattCharger today. Our experts can assess your site, recommend the best hardware, and support you in applying for grants or finance.

Let’s get your business ready for Ireland’s electric future.