Benefits of ​ecars

ESB's Commitment to a Cleaner, Greener Future

Enjoying the quiet comfort of an electric vehicle isn't just great for your pocket, it's great for the environment too. Electric vehicles emit zero tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions thereby helping to improve air quality in our towns and cities, as well as reducing noise pollution..

Benefits of ecars for Customers

• €5,000 Government grant towards the purchase of an electric vehicle (See www.seai.ie)
• €120 motor tax band for electric vehicles (See www.seai.ie)
• Government grant of up to €600 towards home charging point. Please see www.seai.ie for details.
• Nationwide charge point infrastructure
• Incredible driving experience 
• Major environmental benefits

Benefits of ecars for Businesses

• Accelerated Capital Allowance Scheme permitting write off of capital investment within one year.(See www.seai.ie)
• Government incentive of  €5,000 grant per vehicle and up to €5000 VRT relief (See www.seai.ie)
• Reduction in company carbon footprint 
• 0% BIK for fully electric company vehicles.
• Zero BIK impact for employees charging at their workplace.

Benefits for Society

• Significantly reduced air pollution
• Lower CO₂ emissions
• Improved air quality

Environmentally Positive

Electric vehicles are environmentally friendly so ecar drivers can feel confident that they are doing something to help the environment. Electric vehicles offer a real opportunity to reduce the carbon output of the transport sector, as they emit zero exhaust pipe emissions. Most people will charge their ecars at night when a higher proportion of electricity is generated from wind. The growth in the generation of electricity from renewable sources offers a route towards carbon neutral motoring.

*Electrifying the transport sector not only reduces carbon dioxide emissions but also improves air quality in our cities by removing diesel fumes which the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2012 classed as a Group 1 carcinogen.

To find out about the cost effectiveness of electric vehicles ​compared to conventional cars, check out our cost calculator here.

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What is an Electric Vehicle?

A pure electric vehicle (EV) uses only a battery that drives an electric motor and turns the wheels. A plug-in hybrid uses an electric motor that works in tandem with a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE).

In a battery-powered electric vehicle, regenerative braking is an energy recovery mechanism which slows a vehicle by converting its kinetic energy into another form, which can be either used immediately or stored until needed. This contrasts with conventional braking systems, where the excess kinetic energy is converted to heat by friction in the brake linings and therefore wasted.