New EV Drivers

If you’ve found this page, you are likely a proud new owner of an electric vehicle (EV). Choosing to drive an EV is a big step in helping to power Ireland towards a cleaner, brighter future. As well as getting used to driving your new EV and charging it at home, there are a few tips that we have picked up over the years that you might find helpful while you are out and about.

Remember to visit our EV charging price plans and try our handy Cost Calculator! Discover just how much you'll pay to charge your electric car. 

Charging while out and about

Access to quick and easy charging is essential for you when yo are on the go. That is why ESB has installed over 1,350 public charge points throughout the country, for convenient charging wherever you are. 

We own and operate the biggest and most extensive EV charging network on the island of Ireland so you are never more than 35km from your nearest charger. 

Our Chargers

There are three types of chargers across the network; standard, fast and high power. Although charging rates may vary depending on car type and battery, here is how long you can usually expect each one will take:

How to Charge your Electric Vehicle

Watch our videos below for instructions on how to charge your electric vehicle using an ESB standard charger, fast charger and high power charger.

Difference between AC and DC Power

AC (Alternating Current): Electricity that regularly changes direction many times a second, which is the kind of power that comes from the power plant to homes and businesses. It is the most common form of electrical power used in residential and commercial settings. 

AC charging is the most common charging method for EVs with a plug whereby the power gets converted from AC to DC inside the vehicle. This charging method is ideal for situations where your car will be parked for at least 20 minutes.  

DC (Direct Current): Electricity that maintains a constant flow in one direction and is the type of power that comes from a battery.

In DC charging, power is converted from AC to DC in the charger itself, before entering your vehicle. This allows for much faster charging and is the charger method used in our Fast and High Power chargers. 

Tethered v Untethered Cables

Our network includes both tethered (cable provided) and untethered (cable needed) chargers. Tethered chargers will have the different cable types attached, whereas you’ll need your own cable to connect to an untethered charger. 

All of our high power chargers, and the majority of our fast chargers, are tethered. All of our standard chargers are untethered, so all you have to do is plug in your own cable and you’re ready to go. 

Connectors

There are three types of connectors used by all electric vehicles. All three types can be found at most ESB fast and high power charge points. Make sure you know what connector is right for your vehicle.

Charge Point Map

You can find your nearest charger on our real time Charge Point Map. Maps are indicative and for illustrative purposes only, for real time up to date information refer to our Charge Point Map.

                     Standard Network                               Fast and High Power Network

• Green pins indicate ESB standard chargers (up to 22kW AC).
• Blue pins indicate ESB fast chargers (up to 50kW DC).
• Red pins indicate ESB high power chargers (from 50kW to 350kW DC).

ecar connect App

Charge Point Access Card

As well as using the ecar connect app, we recommend all EV drivers should have a charge point access card which also allows you to charge on our EV charging network. 

As a member, you’ll receive a free card when you sign up. PAYG customers can purchase a card or get one free with a €20 top up. 

When you receive your ESB charge point access card in the post you will need to activate your card by following these steps: 

• Sign into your account by clicking on the yellow Log In button at the top of this page, or via the ecar connect app 
• Go to profile and select cards from the dropdown list (on app select dropdown menu) 
• Click activate card 
• Then input your card number to complete the activation. 

Below you will find other tips that we hope you will find helpful when you’re out and about in your new EV.

Overstay Fee

To ensure a charge point is available for the next user and to respond to EV driver feedback, an overstay fee of €8 (ROI only) will apply for charging sessions longer than 45 minutes at all ESB fast and high power chargers and after ten hours on standard chargers. We recommend you turn on your notifications on the ecar connect app so that you can receive a prompt to remind you when the overstay fee applies while you are charging. 

EV Terminology

There is a lot of terminology in the electric vehicle world. We have created a glossary to help you familiarise yourself with some of the common terms you may hear when driving an EV:

More Information

We hope this information is helpful. There is lots more available in our FAQs.

We have also created an Electric Vehicle Quickstart Guide that you may find helpful while you're out and about.

Get In Touch

If you have any questions, or if there is information you think we should add to this section to help other new EV drivers, we'd love to hear from you.