Electric car ownership is steadily rising worldwide. Even in Ireland, many consumers are opting for these innovative vehicles. As of January 2023, an estimated 34,000 electric cars are registered in Ireland, with this number expected to rise in the future. 

The best way to maintain your electric cars includes investing in high-quality chargers. If you’re planning on purchasing an electric vehicle or want to learn more about your current EV, here’s everything you need to know about EV chargers Ireland. 

Why Do You Need EV Chargers?

Once you purchase an electric vehicle, you must decide how to charge your car. Just as you would refuel your traditional vehicle, you must also recharge your EV. 

It doesn’t matter if you have a hybrid or battery-powered EV, as every electric vehicle needs a high-quality charger. Think of this device as the life source for your car, so it makes sense that you should only opt for the best.

EV charging points might seem complicated, but they're straightforward to handle once you familiarise yourself. But keep in mind that each type of car model will require a specific kind of charger, so make sure always to remember that information.

You can easily install an EV charging point in your home for even more convenience. If you’re worried about them taking up too much space, there are several options with a sleek and minimalist design. 

But you don’t always need to rely on home charging as many countries provide public EV charging infrastructure. 

How Many EV Charing Points Are There In Ireland?

Currently, there are 1,350 public EV charging stations in Ireland, with 1,000 of them located in the Republic. Private companies operate an additional 400 charge points. 

Despite these figures, many people feel there aren’t enough stations to meet the rising EV ownership. In this case, it’s crucial to invest in home EV chargers.   

What Are The Different Types Of EV Chargers in Ireland?

As we’ve mentioned before, there are several varieties of EV charge points. Learning about these different versions will help you choose the right one. Let’s look at the four common types of EV chargers.   

Slow EV Charging Points

Slow charging stations are often one of the most economical options. These are only ideal if the car is parked for several hours, such as overnight or during your working period. While some slow charge points reach 3 K, most usually fall between 2.3 to 6 KW. 

Another critical thing to remember about these is that slow EV chargers are untethered, so you need to get a cable to connect them to the charge point. 

Since these devices are so cheap, many homeowners gravitate towards them, but they can be quite limiting in the long run.  

Fast EV Charging Points

These charging stations perform slightly better than the slow ones. Fast EV chargers are ideal if you’re going to leave your car for a few hours tops. 

Most fast chargers come in a range of 7KW to 22KW, and you can easily find them in public spaces and commercial buildings. 

Usually, fast chargers come in the 7 KW range, which is more than enough for overnight charging. While there are some with 22KW power, they are rare in household settings.

Rapid EV Charging Points

If you want a high-speed DC charging station, this is the device to go for. Here you can find power ranging between 50 KW to 100 KW.  

Usually, it would take about 30 minutes to charge your vehicle fully. Despite these high speeds, rapid chargers are not suitable for household installation, with one reason being their costly installation. Because of this price point, you typically find them in public spaces. 

Ultra-Rapid EV Charging Points

Nothing can beat an ultra-rapid EV charge point. These devices can top up your car in minutes, charging up to 100KW or more. 

Unfortunately, just like rapid EV stations, these have an extraordinarily high price making them unsuitable for household applications. 

But you usually find them in public spaces, office parks, or anywhere you might want to recharge your EV quickly. 

Where Can You Find EV Chargers In Ireland?

With EV ownership rising, there is increasing demand for EV charge points. Many EV owners prefer having a charging station in their homes because it’s more convenient, but there are several other places to recharge their EVs. 

Governments across the globe are working towards increasing accessibility to charging infrastructure. Even businesses and office parks are tapping into this trend. So let’s take a look at some of the most common spots for EV charging. 

Electric Car Home Charging

As we’ve mentioned before, home EV charging is the most reliable and convenient, so it makes sense why this would be a popular choice. 

At home, you can simply leave your car plugged in overnight and have a fully charged car to use the next day. 

Home chargers are also great options for areas without access to public charging points. With this type of charging, you won’t have to deal with the hassle of finding an EV charging station nearby. 

Public Electric Car Charging Stations

Every day, more public charge points are popping up as local governments and city planners are investing heavily in EV charging infrastructure. 

Not only does this help existing EV owners, but it also encourages others to switch to sustainable vehicles. 

Public charging stations often carry rapid or ultra-rapid charging, so you can fully top up your car in hours or even minutes. 

Office Electric Car Charging

Apart from your home, most people spend their time at work, so it makes sense to charge your EVs here. 

While working in your office, your car can stay plugged in, so you’ll drive away with a fully charged vehicle. 

Since this is such a convenient charging spot, business owners are introducing EV charging at work to practice sustainability. In the future, you can expect many more workplaces to offer convenient EV charge points for their employees. 

Petrol Station EV Charging

Home and offices are convenient ways to charge your EV, but what if you’re on the road and need to charge your car quickly? The solution is EV chargers at petrol stations. 

Nowadays, many filling stations also offer EV charge points to provide service to every customer. Often filling station EV chargers offer super-speed charging so you can start using your EV in no time.

Commercial Space Electric Car Charging

Most people pop into the supermarket or shopping malls to run errands, so adding EV charging stations in these locations is extremely convenient. This way, you can shop and recharge your car in one trip. 

Since you’ll be busy doing something, you won't have to wait too long to get back on the road with your EV. Because of this convenience, many retail lots are now equipped with EV charging stations to meet demand and attract more customers. 

How To Choose The Right EV charger?

If you’re opting for a home EV charging station, there are a few essential features you need to be mindful of. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Tethered or Untethered

The number one question many homeowners ask themselves when getting an EV charger is whether it is tethered or untethered. This is an important factor to consider because it deals with the flexibility of your EV charger.  

A tethered EV charge point means the cable is permanently connected to the charging unit. Many homeowners find this configuration convenient because you will always have the cable on hand. 

All you need to do is unfurl it and plug it into your car. Unfortunately, there are some downsides to a tethered EV charger, most of which have to do with the cable lengths. 

The manufacturer's standard for these chargers is 5 meters which could affect how you park the car. Off-street parking is nearly impossible with such a short cable length. So consider how and where you park your vehicle before opting for a tethered charger. 

In an untethered charging point, there’s no cable provided with the station. Instead, you must get your own cable and manually attach it to the charging port. It’s always helpful to have an extra cable on hand, even if you have tethered option. 

You might wonder why anybody would want an untethered changing point since they seem inconvenient. The good thing about these chargers is they offer more flexibility.   

You can charge any electric car because its socket is universal. Also, you’re not limited by the cable length; just measure from your ideal parking distance and buy the appropriate cable.

For some consumers, this charging point provides a cleaner look because you don’t have the messy visual of cabling. Ultimately, the cabling choice comes down to user preference, so keep this in mind before purchasing your home EV charger. 

Choose Between A Single-Phase or Three-Phase Charger

Standard residential power outlets are usually single-phase AC devices, but commercial outlets can supply electric cars with three-phase AC. 

The main difference between these two is that the single-phase option only provides a third of the power given by a three-phase model, which means it will take three times longer for your EV to charge. 

So, if you plug your EV into a general single-phase AC outlet, it could take 8 to 12 hours to charge from zero to full capacity.

If you own a single-phase charger, you can easily upgrade the cable to three-phase charging, making your EV more versatile. 

Consider The Charging Speed And Cost

Charging speed affects how much you pay for an EV port. Generally, the higher the KW of the charging port, the faster your EV will be charged. 

With all the different chargers, you can see that “fast” is the ideal option for households because it’s not too expensive to install and provides ample energy to your vehicle. 

With these ports, you can get between 7 KW to 22 KW, depending on the capacity and model of your EV. You can leave your car plugged in overnight and enjoy a stress-free drive the next day. 

Pay Attention To The Maximum Charging Rate

While we’re on the topic of charging speed and cost, you must also consider the EV’s maximum charging rate. 

Many newer electric vehicle models require at least 7 KW or more power. Older versions and hybrid models might even require as low as 3.3 KW. With that in mind, purchasing charging points that supply more energy than your EV’s charging rate can be a total waste of money. 

If you want your charging station to be future-proof or plan to upgrade to a new EV, you need to pay attention to the maximum rate.  

If you want to be economical with your EV charger, you can opt for one with a lower energy rating than your EV. But remember that the car will take much longer to reach full charge. 

Not sure about your EV’s charging ability? There are several ports that automatically detect its power range and lower the energy accordingly. 

If the upfront costs of an EV charging point are making you hesitant, many companies offer a pricing plan. This will help you get the best charger you need for your EV without breaking your budget.    

What Are The Best EV Chargers In Ireland?

If you’re looking for high-quality EV chargers in Ireland, visit Meteor Electrical. 

At Meteor, we carry the Garo range of high-quality EV chargers that supply excellent performance at every turn. These chargers are the best of their kind providing EV charging ports in multiple sectors. 

Here are some of the best Garo EV chargers Meteor has to offer. 

1. Garo 7.4 kW Type 2 EV Charger

The GARO Standard Domestic Wall Charger with a fixed cable has a Type 2 connector and a 7.4 kW capacity. Its main features include Mode 3 charging, which can be mounted on the wall or a stand. 

This Garo home charger has incredible features, including an RFID reader for additional security and WiFi communication. 

You also have access to a DLM installed to protect the main fuse and a motorised interlock that prevents the cable from being removed while charging. 

This is one of the best home EV chargers that also sports a PME fault detection which disconnects all phases and earth if a PME fault is detected. With these incredible features, this domestic EV charger is a must-have for any home. 

1. Garo Standard Household EV Charger

The Garo Standard EV Charger includes a 7.4kW socket and a Type 2 tethered lead. Its features include DC monitoring, installed DLM, a motorised interlock, and a LAN connection for better control. 

This device is one of the best home EV chargers delivering between 3.7kW and 22kW. Simply plug in your car overnight to enjoy a stress-free driving experience the next day. 

Just like the previous charger, this option also includes DLM software that protects the main fuse in an installation by reducing the EV’s charging current when the total load is high and increasing it when the total load is low.   

1. GARO LS4 Electric Car Charging Station

GARO’s LS4 is a commercial EV charger that meets all the requirements for devices installed in public places. 

Manufactured from high-grade aluminium, its construction allows it to be directly bolted to the concrete ground and even mounted on a pole-mounted assembly. In addition, the aluminium coupled with the IP 44 rating gives this charger incredible durability. 

At the top of the charger, you will find a 360◦ light indicator that shows the charge status of each station from a distance. This EV charger uses a Type 2 socket in single and three-phase configurations. 

With the ability to charge up to 32 devices, you can easily create a convenient charging point with these devices. This device can be installed in commercial spaces such as car parks, supermarkets, shopping centres, restaurants, etc. 

Recharge Your Car With Meteor

For more EV charging options and accessories, visit Meteor Electrical today. 

Meteor is one of the largest electric wholesalers in Ireland, offering next-day delivery at competitive prices. So don’t wait - head on over to Meteor today and find your next EV charging solution.