If you drive an EV in Ireland, charging costs depend heavily on whether you plug in at home, use slow public chargers, or rely on rapid chargers. Costs may also vary depending on where you are. For example in Dublin compared with Cork. Because of differences in charger availability, typical electricity tariffs, and how often you depend on public networks. In this article we compare what EV drivers can expect to pay charging in and around Dublin versus Cork, highlight cost drivers, and give tips to keep charging bills under control.
If you are considering home charging and solar as part of your setup, check out our article Can You Use Solar to Power Your EV at Home for how home energy and car charging tie together.
Typical Home Charging Costs in Ireland
Home charging remains the cheapest option for most EV owners. According to recent data, under a typical night-rate tariff EV owners may pay about €0.183 per kWh.
For a car using around 16.5 kWh per 100 km, charging overnight on a night-rate tariff could cost roughly €3–4 per 100 km.
Some “smart EV tariffs” or off-peak plans reduce this cost further when charging at low-demand hours.
Thus, whether you are in Dublin or Cork, if you mostly charge at home you can expect similar baseline costs. Governed by your electricity tariff rather than city location.
Public Charging Costs: Dublin vs Cork Reality
Public charging is often more expensive than home charging. The main public network in Ireland (operated by ESB e‑Cars) charges roughly €0.52–€0.59 per kWh for standard AC chargers (up to 22 kW) under pay-as-you-go.
For fast DC chargers (50 kW +) or higher power points, rates often range from €0.57 up to around €0.66 per kWh depending on charger type and network.
This means a 100 km drive (assuming ~16.5 kWh/100 km efficiency) via public AC charging could cost around €9–10, and via fast DC public charging €10–11+.
Because public charger availability and congestion tend to be higher in Dublin compared with Cork, Dublin drivers may more often rely on public chargers. Potentially increasing their average cost per km compared with Cork drivers who can more easily rely on home charging or fewer public top-ups.
How Location (Dublin vs Cork) Affects Charging Habits and Costs
| Factor | Dublin | Cork / rest of Ireland |
|---|---|---|
| Public charger density | High — many AC and DC points, but busy — might lead to frequent use | Moderate — fewer chargers, but lower demand and often easier access |
| Likelihood of home charging | Varies — many flats or terraced houses may lack off-street parking, leading to public charging | Higher — more detached houses with driveways make home charging easier |
| Cost per 100 km (public heavy use) | Often closer to €9–11, especially if fast chargers are used frequently | Can stay lower if home charging is dominant or public charging is occasional |
In practice, a driver in Dublin who lacks home charging and uses public chargers regularly may pay significantly more per km than a Cork-based driver who can rely on cheaper overnight home charging.
How to Keep EV Charging Costs Down
- Try to do most charging at home using a smart EV tariff or during night/rate off-peak hours. This gives the lowest cost per kWh regardless of city.
- Plan longer trips using public charging sparingly, use fast chargers only when needed for long journeys.
- If you install solar panels at home, you can reduce reliance on the grid, see our guide Solar Panel Efficiency in Ireland to estimate how solar output supports EV charging.
- For flat-type homes in Dublin (without easy home charging), consider whether you can install a home charger or if shared/community charging solutions make sense.
What to Expect in 2025
- Home charging under smart or night-rate tariffs remains the cheapest and most reliable option across Ireland, whether you're in Dublin or Cork.
- Public charging remains significantly more expensive, about 2 to 3 times more per kWh than home charging.
- Dublin drivers without home charging access may end up paying more, especially if they rely on fast public chargers.
- Cork or other less urban areas might offer cost advantages, especially for homeowners with off-street parking, due to easier home charging and lower public charging dependence.
Want to know exactly how much you would spend charging your EV at home or on the road in your area? Contact WattCharger for a free tailored cost projection. We will calculate expected charging bills based on your home setup, driving habits, and local electricity tariffs.
Blog Author: Rowan Egan