FAQs

What is an electric vehicle (EV)?

An electric vehicle (EV) is one that is propelled entirely or in part by a number of electric motors. There are three types of vehicles that fit into this broad definition:

Battery EVs (BEVs) are vehicles powered solely by electricity. The energy used to drive the motors of a fully-electric vehicle is stored in the on-board battery pack, which is charged from a home charger or public charge point.

Extended-Range EVs (E-REVs) are also driven by electric energy stored in an on-board battery pack. The battery pack can be charged from the grid like a BEV but an E-REV can also charge itself using a small on-board internal combustion engine (ICE) that acts like a generator.

Plug-in Hybrid EVs (PHEVs) have a more traditional ICE (internal combustion engine) coupled with electric motors and a battery pack. The vehicle can be propelled entirely by the battery, entirely by the ICE or by any combination of the two depending on the circumstances.

What range can I expect from a battery EV?

The range of an electric vehicle differs according to its efficiency, battery size and the driving style of the driver. Information on the range of specific electric vehicles can be found at the manufacturers website.

How long does it take to charge an EV?

There are four main charging options:

• Home Charging - 6-8 hours (from empty to fully charged)
• Standard/Fast Charging (AC) - 1-6 hours depending on car model and range
• Fast/Rapid Charging (DC) - 30 minutes to achieve up to an 80% charge
• High Power Charging - Up to 100km (62 miles) range in as little as six minutes

Different EVs will charge at a different rate using the same charger. Some models of EVs are not capable of availing of the full throughput available from a charge point but will still charge as a rate suitable for the vehicle.

The same EV may also charge at different rates at the same charging point under certain circumstances. A vehicle’s Battery Management System (BMS) continuously monitors your battery pack while charging and adjusts its rate of charge. Changes to the rate of charge are to balance charging speed with preserving the battery’s usable life.

The rate may vary by temperature or battery status - a cold battery will charge less quickly and a battery charges at a slower rate as it approaches its fully-charged state. Adjustments like these are similar to the smart charging seen in most smartphones.

Why do EVs charge at different rates?

The rating marked on charge points is the maximum continuous rate of charge available to an EV from the charger.

The vehicles Battery Management System (BMS) continuously controls the rate during a charging session and dictates the rate of charge. The rate depends on a number of factors outside of the control of the charger.

The most common factors effecting the charging rate are:

Make and Model of EV: Some models of EVs are not capable of availing of the full kW available from a charge point but can still obtain a charge suitable to its own maximum charging rate.

State of Charge (SOC) of Battery: The rate of charging allowed by the EVs BMS reduces as the battery comes closer to fully charged in order to reduce stress on the battery pack. This reduction for most EV models starts around 50% and charge rate reduces dramatically after 80%. Fast charging is most effective up to 80% SOC.

Temperature of Battery: If the battery is too cold or too hot the EVs BMS will adjust the rate of charge to protect the cells of the battery. Some EVs will activate internal heaters or fans to maintain a temperature between 20 and 25C. The main factors effecting battery temperature is the amount of driving and charging done up to the charging session

What is the motor tax charge on an EV?

In Ireland, annual taxation on most EVs is in the lowest motor tax bracket, currently €120.

What is the lifetime of an EV battery?

The lithium-ion (Li-Ion) and lithium manganese oxide (LMO) batteries commonly seen in EVs lose around 2-4% of their capacity annually and are usually slated to be replaced once they have 80% of their original capacity. The usable life of a battery is between six and ten years.

Once a battery comes to the end of its lifespan, it can be recycled. Some manufacturers offer a battery guarantee on their vehicles of five or seven years or 160,000kms (99,000 miles), whichever comes first. Please consult your vehicle dealer for more information.

What are the benefits of driving an EV?

EVs offer numerous benefits to drivers and business which include:  

• Registration Tax relief in Ireland (Visit: www.seai.ie)  
• Drivers in Northern Ireland pay tax on their vehicle when it is first registered, this covers the vehicle for 12 months. From then on, Vehicles tax is calculated based on their CO2 output. Thankfully for EV drivers, this is £0. For more information on this, click here. 
• In Ireland, there is a Government grant of up to €600 towards a home charge point. For more information visit www.seai.ie)  
• In Northern Ireland, the Electric Vehicles Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) is no longer open to new applicants. It has been replaced by the EV chargepoint grant. 
• A growing network of 1,600 ESB public charge points on the island of Ireland
• Incredible driving experience 
• Reduced running costs 

Benefits of electric vehicles for business: 

• In Ireland, up to €7,000 is grant available for the purchase of an EV for the use as a Taxi or Limousine (Visit: www.nationaltransport.ie) 
• In Ireland, there is a Government incentive of up to €5,000 grant per vehicle and up to €5,000 Vehicle Registration Relief (Visit: www.seai.ie)  
• Accelerated Capital Allowance Scheme permitting write off of capital investment within one year (Visit: www.seai.ie) 
• BIK exemptions for employees charging at their workplace (Visit www.revenue.ie)  
• Reduction in company carbon footprint 
• In Northern Ireland, The plug-in taxi grant (PiTG) supports the uptake of purpose built ULEV taxis. The PiTG scheme offers a discount on the price of eligible taxis of up to a maximum of £7,500 or £3,000, depending on the vehicle’s range, emissions and design. For more information, click here.   

What are the environmental benefits?

EVs offer two direct benefits to the environment when used as replacements for diesel or petrol vehicles.

Firstly, every kilometre driven by an EV versus a petrol or diesel vehicle means significantly less greenhouse gases emitted.

EVs also eliminate ‘tailpipe emissions’ - taking particulates, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphur and other pollutants out of dense urban areas improves air quality.

It’s worth noting that noise pollution per vehicle is much lower in an electric vehicle.

What are the emission levels of an EV compared with a conventional vehicle?

With the current mix of sources used to generate electricity in Ireland, emissions are less than half of those of a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) (70gCO2/km for a Battery EV versus 150gCO2/km for a conventional vehicle.)

As the percentage of electricity produced from renewable sources continues to grow in this country, the level of CO2 emissions associated with electric motoring will also decline.

Where can I charge my EV?

The majority of EVs are charged at home or at work using a dedicated charge point or on the ESB public charging network which can be found at locations such as motorway services, on-street, hotels, and motorway service areas.

How do I charge my EV at home?

The safest way to charge an EV at home is to install a home charger. This consists of an outdoor socket properly protected against rain and a residual current device type that is designed to handle DC pulses, as well as AC current. A separate circuit from the distribution board should be used to supply the EVSE. Extension leads should not be used, as even uncoiled; they are not intended to carry full rated current for lengthy periods.

How do I apply for a home charge point?

A number of energy suppliers offer home charger installation.  

The Irish Government offers a grant of €600 towards the installation of a home charger unit. The grant is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).  

In Northern Ireland the Electric Vehicles Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) is no longer open to new applicants. It has been replaced by the EV chargepoint grant. 

How much will it cost for a full charge at home?

A full charge will cost as little as €3 (£3) by charging overnight at home using discounted night rate electricity. Please contact your energy supplier for more information.

Charging your EV on the ESB public charging network

There is currently a growing public network of 1,600 public charge points available on the island of Ireland in locations such as motorway services, on-street, shopping centres, carparks etc.

How do I find the closest charge point to me?

Information on the location and real-time availability status of chargers is provided through the ecar connect app and on our charge point map.

Are there different charging connectors at the public charging points for different types of EVs?

1. DC CHADEMO: This connector is used to charge Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi vehicles.
2. CCS COMBO: This connector is used to charge EVs such as BMW, Volkswagen, Hyundai etc.
3. AC 43: This connector is used to charge EV's such as the Renault Zoe.

How do I pay?

To sign up create an account via the ecar connect app available from the App store or Google Play or through our website. Once you have created your account and chosen your preferred payment option, you’re ready to use the network. Contactless payment is also available on all our high power chargers or you can choose a one time payment option through the ecar connect app on any of our chargers. For more information on how to use our chargers, check out our ‘How to’ videos.

How do I pay for my charge using contactless?

• Connect the cable to your vehicle 

• Select the payment method on the screen 

• To start, tap card/mobile device 

• To stop, select your charging session, press end charge and then tap card/mobile device again. 

• A pre-authorisation amount of €50 (£40) will be reserved before a charging session activation in order to confirm card validity. After you successfully charged your car and the total amount of your charging session is known, we will adjust the pre-authorisation to match the final amount of your charging session.   

Now that I’m signed up, how do I use the charger?

For more information on how to use all of our charger types, check out our 'How to' videos here.

How do I start and stop a charging session?

You can start and stop a charging session with the ecar connect app or by using an ESB charge point access card. Download the ecar connect app on the App store and Google Play.

How do I get an ESB charge point access card?

Sign up as a member via our ecar connect app or on our website, and receive a free ESB charge point access card worth €9.20 (£9.20).

If you are a PAYG user you can get a free ESB charge point access card if you top up by €20 (£20) or you can purchase an ESB charge point access card for €9.20 (£9.20). See further down this page for more information about ESB charge point access cards.

How long can I stay at an ESB charge point?

It typically takes as little as 30 minutes to charge an electric vehicle at a fast (Rapid) charger up to 80% and 10-15 minutes at a high power charger. To ensure a charge point is available for the next user and to respond to EV driver feedback, an overstay fee of €0.50 (£0.50) per minute will apply for charging sessions longer than 45 minutes when using all DC CHAdeMO, CCS and AC43kW connectors at Fast (Rapid) or High Power chargers. The same €0.50 (£0.50) per minute overstay fee will also apply for charging sessions longer than 10 hours on both 7kW and 22kW chargers/sockets. We recommend you turn on your notifications on the ecar connect app so that you will receive push notifications as a reminder about the overstay fee when you start your charge. The maximum overstay fee is £22.50.

How do I pay to use the ESB public charging network?

To get started sign up here Price Plans or through the ecar connect app. We also have contactless payment available on all our high-power chargers and we are continuing to rollout this payment feature on our Fast chargers over the coming months. 

Can I pay at the charger?

Yes, customers can pay using contactless payment at our high-power chargers. You can also pay using a One-Time payment method at any of our chargers. When choosing a one time payment, you must enter your payment details each time or alternatively tap a credit/debit card or smart watch on the contactless terminals at our high-power chargers.

What is the VAT rate on ESB electric vehicle chargers?

A VAT rate of 9% is applied to all ESB EV charging and ancillary related products in Ireland and 20% in Northern Ireland. 

What do I do if my credit card details are about to expire?

You can add a new payment method or update your account with your new card details via the online driver portal or via the ecar connect app. We will inform you one month in advance of your impending card expiry.

How do I receive notifications from ESB ecars?

Notifications via the ecar connect app are set to ON by default for four areas: - Start Charge, Stop Charge, Charge failed to start, Billing and Payments. If you would like to be reminded about the overstay fee, please turn on your notifications. Users can change these defaults via the driver portal or the ecar connect app. The other notification method available is by email.

What do I do if my payment fails?

If your payment fails, your account will be suspended. To ensure this doesn’t happen, we recommend that you to turn on Auto top up via the ecar connect app or on our online driver portal.

How much money do I need in my account to start a charge?

You need a minimum of €5 (£5) to start a charge.

Why am I being charged €50 (£40) as well as the cost of the charge?

This charge applies to One-Time Payments and contactless payments only. A pre-authorisation amount of €50 (£40) will be reserved before a charging session activation in order to confirm card validity. However, this amount will be used to pay for the charging session and the remaining balance from the pre-authorisation fee will be refunded.

I have a payment query. What do I do?

Please contact our 24/7 customer care helpline on 00 353 1 258 3799. For customers in Northern Ireland, please contact our customer care on 00 44 345 601 8303. 

Alternatively, you can report an issue via the ecar connect app.

I am visiting Ireland from abroad. How do I charge my electric vehicle?

Download the ecar connect app available on the App store and Google Play. We recommend you use the contactless payment option on our high-power chargers or the one time anonymous payment feature available on the app.

I want to report a safety concern, what should I do?

If you have a safety concern, please contact our 24/7 helpline on 00 353 1 258 3799. For customers in Northern Ireland, please contact 00 44 345 601 8303.

What safety measures are in place on the ESB public charging infrastructure?

All ESB public chargers are designed with safety as the top priority. Each charger contains individual devices for overcurrent and earth fault protection, as well as a secondary level of electrical protection for the charger supply.

Most chargers are also protected from impact by concrete-filled bollards and feature a “tilt-switch” device, which disconnects the supply to the charger in the case of a significant impact.

The charging system also incorporates inherent safety measures, with the electricity flow regulated by communication between the vehicle and the charger. This system ensures that the electricity flow is interrupted when a cable is disconnected. A minor level of static charge may sometimes remain on the pins after disconnection.

Are there guidelines to follow when attaching and detaching charging cables?

When disconnecting from AC standard (fast) chargers, to reduce wear and tear on the connector it is advisable to disconnect the connector from the charger first, before disconnecting from the vehicle. You may need to unlock your car using your car fob to release the connector.

Similarly, when starting a charge, the connector should be connected to the vehicle first and then to the charge point. This ensures that the vehicle’s control system will be immediately prepared to regulate the electricity flow upon insertion to the charger.

When charging an EV it is important to never leave a charging connector trailing dangerously on the pavement or roadway as it may be a potential trip hazard or get damaged.

When charging at a fast (rapid) or high power charger, remember to replace the connector securely when finished.

Can I disconnect my connector even though the vehicle is not fully charged?

Yes you can disconnect your vehicle at any time. Learn more about how to use the ESB public charging network here.

What do I need to know before installing my home charger?

The installation of a domestic electric vehicle charge point comes under the National Rules for Electrical Installations. The standard is also known as I.S. 10101:2020 and has been produced by industry experts who sit on the National Standards Authority of Ireland’s Electro Technical Committee (ETC/TC 2).

When you are getting a home charger installed, please ensure that your chosen electrical contractor who is installing your charger is aware of, and understands this standard.

It is important to note that domestic EV chargers may be connected in parallel to the circuit feeding the existing electrical installation, i.e. the main domestic distribution board, from the ESB Networks meter box provided the main overcurrent protection device is located upstream (on the distribution network side) of the domestic EV charger to simplify installation. If space is unavailable in the ESB Networks meter box, the main overcurrent protection device, which is more usually located in the main domestic distribution board, can also be located in a suitably weather proof box adjacent to the ESB Networks meter box which may also in some circumstances facilitate a simpler installation.

I want to report a safety concern, what should I do?

If you have a safety concern, please contact our 24/7 helpline on 01 258 3799.

What safety measures are in place on the ESB public charging infrastructure?

All ESB public charge points are designed with safety as the top priority. Each charge point contains individual devices for overcurrent and earth fault protection, as well as a secondary level of electrical protection for the charge point supply.

Most charge points are also protected from impact by concrete-filled bollards and feature a “tilt-switch” device, which disconnects the supply to the charge point in the case of a significant impact.

The charging system also incorporates inherent safety measures, with the electricity flow regulated by communication between the vehicle and the charge point. This system ensures that the electricity flow is interrupted when a cable is disconnected. A minor level of static charge may sometimes remain on the pins after disconnection.

Are there guidelines to follow when attaching and detaching charging cables?

When disconnecting from AC standard charge points, to reduce wear and tear on the connector it is advisable to disconnect the connector from the charge point first, before disconnecting from the vehicle. You may need to unlock your car using your car fob to release the connector.

Similarly, when starting a charge the connector should be connected to the vehicle first and then to the charge point. This ensures that the vehicle’s control system will be immediately prepared to regulate the electricity flow upon insertion to the charger.

When charging an EV it is important to never leave a charging connector trailing dangerously on the pavement or roadway as it may be a potential trip hazard or get damaged.

When charging at a fast charger, remember to replace the connector securely when finished.

Can I disconnect my connector even though the vehicle is not fully charged?

Yes you can disconnect your vehicle at any time. Learn more about how to use the ESB public charging network here.

How can my company benefit from EVs?

The move to electromobility naturally includes commercial fleets. Current emissions of CO2 in the Irish transport sector accounts for approximately 13 million tonnes annually, with commercial vehicles contributing to that.

Some of the benefits include accelerated capital allowance scheme, reduced tolls, VRT relief, and significantly lower running costs.

I am interested in signing my company fleet up to use the ESB public charging network. Who should I speak to?

To find out more about our Fleet offering visit Fleet Plans.

If my business signs up as a member and fleet price plans are launched, can I switch accounts to fleet? 

Yes, you will be able to move your account to a fleet plan. 

I am interested in putting EV charge points in my business premises. Who should I speak to?

Email your query to smartenergy@esb.ie or visit https://www.esb.ie/our-businesses/smart-energy-services/smart-energy-services-overview.

What are the price plan options?

There are two price plans available to you, PAYG or Membership. The Membership price plan was developed for heavier users who charge their car five times plus per month on the ESB public charging network. You can also pay using contactless payment on our high-power chargers from June 2024.

Price plans for Ireland are available here. Price plans for Northern Ireland are available here.

Why are public charging fees calculated by kWh rather than time charged?

Research carried out with EV drivers found that 72% drivers would prefer to be charged by kWh rather than a time-based model. It is fairest method of charging as it is the amount of energy delivered to an EV.

What methods of payment are accepted?

You can pay with major debit or credit cards from Visa or Mastercard. Payment can be made directly at any charger using the ecar connect app, or via the website. Contactless payment is available on all our high-power chargers and we are continuing to rollout this payment feature on our Fast chargers in the coming months.

I want to pay for a charge but remain anonymous, what details do I have to enter?

The contactless and one-time anonymous payment methods allow customers to pay without signing up. When using the one-time payment option, you will need to enter your payment details and agree to ESB’s terms and conditions. You may then choose to enter your email address if you would like an electronic receipt.

Why am I being charged €50 (£40) as well as the cost of the charge?

This applies to Contactless and One-Time Payments only. A pre-authorisation amount of €50 (£40) will be reserved before a charging session activation in order to confirm card validity. However, this amount will be used to pay for the charging session and the remaining balance from the pre-authorisation fee will be refunded.

When topping up my account, is there a minimum amount I can top up?

The minimum amount you can top your account up at a time is €10/£10. 

Is there an overstay fee?

To ensure a charge point is available for the next user and to respond to EV driver feedback, an overstay fee of €0.50 (£0.50) per minute will apply for charging sessions longer than 45 minutes when using all DC CHAdeMO, CCS and AC43kW connectors at Fast (rapid) or High Power chargers. The same overstay fee will also apply for charging sessions longer than 10 hours on both 7kW and 22kW chargers/sockets. The maximum overstay fee is €22.50 (£22.50). We recommend you turn on your notifications on the ecar connect app to ensure you are notified of when overstay fees would apply. This will mean you will receive push notifications as a reminder overstay fee when you start your charge.

Can multiple people use the same account?

Yes, you can have up to two members using your account and they can charge concurrently.

How can I view my usage?

As a registered customer you can view your charging and energy usage on the My Account section of the ecar connect app or on the website.

How can I change my account and payment details?

You can edit your details on the My Account section of the ecar connect app or via the website.

I drive an Audi e-tron. Can I still use my Audi supplied card or do I need to sign up?

Yes, Audi e-tron drivers who subscribe to an Audi integrated service (which includes charging) will be able to access our AC and DC charge points via their Audi-supplied access card. We will bill Audi for the aggregated usage, you will then be billed directly by Audi.

I am a PAYG top-up user, how do I get an ESB charge point access card?

The initial top up amount is set to €20 (£20), this includes an ESB ecars charge point access card.

PAYG

What are the different Pay As You Go (PAYG) options?

Contactless: Use a credit/debit card to pay for a once off transaction at our high-power charge points in the Republic of Ireland from June 2024.

One Time Payment: Make a once off transaction at any of our rapid charging points via the ecar connect app. 

One Time Payments / Contactless

Do you offer contactless payments?

Contactless payment is available on all our high-power chargers. We are continuing to rollout contactless on our fast chargers over the coming months.

I want to pay for a charge but remain anonymous. What are the payment methods for ad-hoc charging?

You have the option to pay by contactless payment on all our high-power chargers across Ireland, using a contactless credit/debit card, or contactless enabled mobile device and rates are the same as our PAYG offering. You will find contactless available on our fast chargers in the coming months.

You can also use the one-time anonymous payment method. Enter your payment details via the ecar connect app, agree to terms and conditions, and provide your email address if you would like a receipt. With contactless payments, you won’t be able to see live updates on your charging status or receive a payment receipt.

Why am I being charged €50 (£40) as well as the cost of the charge?

A pre-authorisation amount of €50 (£40) will be reserved before a charging session activation in order to confirm card validity. However, this amount will not be debited following successful account and balance validation. This only applies to Contactless and One Time Payments.

How do I pay for my charge using contactless?

• Connect the cable to your vehicle
• Select the payment method on the screen
• To start, tap card/mobile device – a pre-authorisation of
• To stop, select your charging session, press end charge and then tap card/mobile device again.
• A pre-authorisation amount of €50 (£40) will be reserved before a charging session activation in order to confirm card validity. However, this amount will not be debited following successful account and balance validation. 

How do I know if a charger accepts contactless payments?

You will find a contactless terminal on the charger.

Why is my credit card pre-authorised? Have I been charged twice?

In order to offer a smooth payment process, we need to make a pre-authorisation/reservation on your card, to verify that the card is working and that sufficient funds are available to cover the payment.

 How does it work?

• Before the charging session, we reserve €50 on your card. 
• After you successfully charged your car and the total amount of your charging session is known, we will adjust the pre-authorisation to match the final amount of your charging session e.g. your final amount is €30: €50 - €30 = €20 will be refunded back to you. 
• When you reach €50, the charging session will automatically stop. 
• The cancellation of the pre-authorisation can take up to 28 business days, though in most cases it is released much quicker. This is linked to your bank's processes. For example, Revolut resolves the payment in hours, but PTSB can take ~3 working days. 

Can I sign-up via the ecar connect app?

Yes you can sign up for the ESB ecars public charging network through the updated ecar connect app. Find the ecar connect app on the App Store or Google Play.

Can I use the ecar connect app without signing up?

Yes, there is a one-time anonymous payment option to charge your EV available on the app without signing up. However, you will need to provide your credit/debit card details every time you charge.

Can I use the ecar connect app instead of an ESB charge point access card?

The app was designed to complement the ESB charge point access card. You can use the ecar connect app to start and stop a charging session. The app will also tell you how long you have been charging for and will notify you to remind you of the overstay fee when you start your charge. However we encourage drivers to continue to keep their ESB charge point access card in their car as a backup.

How can I download the ecar connect app?

You can download the ecar connect app through the App store and Google Play.

I don't have an Apple or Android phone, what do I use?

You will find many of the same features of the ecar connect app by logging into your ESB ecars account on our website.

Can I use the ecar connect app when travelling to Northern Ireland?

Yes the ecar connect app will work in both Northern Ireland and Ireland.

Is the ecar connect app secure?

Yes the ecar connect app is secure. All of your payment details are secure and stored following GDPR regulations.

How much does the ecar connect app cost?

The ecar connect app is free to download.

Why do I need to download the updated ecar connect app?

It is advised to update or download the ecar connect app for easy use of the ESB public charging network. It provides the ability to swipe to start or stop a charge. It shows the real-time availability of the charge point network on an integrated interactive map, you can track your usage, view your charge history, and manage your account.

What is an ESB charge point access card?

An ESB charge point access card is a credit card sized card that allows you to start and stop a charge on the ESB public charging network

Do I need an ESB charge point access card to use the ESB public charging network?

You have two ways to access the ESB public charging network.

You can use the network via the ecar connect app. Download for Apple or Android devices and sign up as a Member or PAYG customer.

Alternatively, you can use an ESB charge point access card. Members receive a card for free when they sign up. PAYG customers can receive a card if they initially top up by €20 (£20).

How do I get an ESB charge point access card?

As a member, you receive a free ESB charge point access card when you sign up via the app or through our website. It usually takes five working days to allow for postage.

If you are a PAYG customer and you top up by €20 (£20), you receive a free ESB charge point access card. You can also purchase an ESB charge point access card for €9.20 (£9.20). Log in to your account via the ecar connect app or on our website.

How do I activate my ESB charge point access card?

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

1. Sign into your account or via the ecar connect app
2. Go to profile and select cards from the dropdown list, (on app select dropdown menu)
3. Click activate card
4. Then input your card number to complete the activation.

I have an old ESB charge point access card that I use on the ESB ecars public charging network. Do I need a new card?

If you cannot read the number on your card, you will need a new ESB charge point access card to use the network.

Can I use any RFID card on the ESB network?

You must use an ESB charge point access card to access the ESB public charging network.

What do I do if my ESB charge point access card won’t work?

If you experience an issue with your ESB charge point access card, please use the ecar connect app to start and stop your charge. The app is available to download from the App Store and Google Play. We recommend you check your account balance to ensure its above €5 (£5). Having auto top-up turned on will help this process. Alternatively, you can call our 24/7 customer services team on 00 353 1 258 3799. Customers in Northern Ireland can contact our 24/7 customer services team on 00 44 345 601 8303.

How do I get a second ESB charge point access card?

You can order an ESB charge point access card via the ecar connect app or via logging into the driver’s online portal available on our website here. A new ESB charge point access card costs €9.20 (£9.20) and will be delivered in five to seven working days.

Why am I being charged €10 (£10) as well as the cost of the charge?

A pre-authorisation amount of €10 (£10) will be reserved before a charging session activation in order to confirm card validity. However, this amount will be used to pay for the charging session and the remaining balance from the pre-authorisation fee will be refunded.

I have lost my ESB charge point access card. How do I get a new one?

Why not download our ecars connect app? Download for Apple or Android devices and sign up as a Member or PAYG customer. Alternatively, you can register for a new ESB charge point access card at a cost of €9.20 (£9.20).

I am a PAYG Top up user, how do I get an ESB charge point access card?

You can purchase an ESB charge point access card for €9.20 (£9.20) on our website or via the ecar connect app.

How do I use the charge point map?

To use the real time map, type in your desired location and select the closest and most convenient charger for you.

Available chargers are shown in green, and those being used in blue. You will find other icon types and their meaning in the legend (shown below).

When you click on your desired charge point a ‘How to Charge’ video will be available for you to watch.

Directions to your chosen charger, an option to report an issue and peak charging times will also be available.

You can simply swipe to start and stop charging sessions on all chargers on the public charging network directly from the map. Just select your required charger, click on the appropriate connector, and swipe to start.

The filter icon allows users to filter their preference in terms of connector type, which charge points are available, traffic flow and an option to see 3rd party charge points

High Power chargers (150kW+) are capable of providing a 100km range to electric vehicle drivers in as little as six minutes.
Fast (Rapid) chargers (50kW - 100kW) can charge a car up to 80% in approximately 30 minutes depending on car type and battery size. Most of our multi-standard fast charge points have three connector types: DC CHAdeMO, CCS Combo and AC 43.

DC CHADEMO: This connector is used to charge Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi vehicles.

CCS COMBO: This connector is used to charge most other electric vehicles including BMW, Volkswagen, Hyundai etc.

AC 43: This connector is used to charge EV's such as the Renault Zoe.

Standard (Fast) chargers (<22kW) can charge your car in approximately 1-8 hours, depending on the type of car and battery size. These destination chargers are typically found on-street or in car parks. Standard charge points have connector Type 2.