2025: A Year of Milestones and Momentum for EVs in Ireland
As 2025 draws to a close, we reflect on a significant year of milestones and momentum on Ireland’s journey towards zero-emissions. Thanks to the support of citizens, businesses and communities across the country, EVs are increasingly becoming part of everyday life across Ireland. To showcase some of the achievements, we have highlighted some of the key initiatives that have occurred over the past 12 months.
Vehicles
Ireland surpassed our Climate Action Plan target for 2025
This year Ireland surpassed its Climate Action Plan target for 2025, with over 200,000 electric vehicles now registered in Ireland’s roads. This exceeded our initial target of 195,000 by the end of 2025 and highlights the growing demand for EVs in Ireland.
Green “flash” registration plates rolling out
From July 2025, new and existing battery electric vehicles (BEVs) became eligible for a new green-stripe registration plate. The green “flash” is a simple but effective way to make zero-emission vehicles more visible on our roads and reflect EV ownership.
Supporting the transition in the public-service vehicle sector
The 2025 grant scheme for taxis, hackneys and limousines (eSPSV25) saw a record-breaking number of applications, showing strong interest across Ireland’s small public-service vehicle industry to make the switch to electric.
Launch of the L Category Scheme
In February, the L category grant scheme for electric motorcycles was launched – a targeted initiatives offering financial support towards the purchase of new electric motorcycles. This initiative is part of a series of purchase grants for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) that also includes M1 (passenger cars), N1S (light commercial vehicles), N1L (large panel vans) and Zero Emission Heavy Duty Vehicles.
Celebrating EV champions
As part of the efforts to recognise outstanding contributions to EV adoption, Doyles Garage Courtown, was this year awarded the 2025 ZEVI EV Dealership of the Year. This award is in recognition for their commitment to promoting EV sales, customer service and EV-knowledge and demonstrates how dealerships are playing a vital part in Ireland’s EV transition.
Infrastructure
Over 140 new high-power recharging hubs approved
In 2025, Minister O’Brien announced two major rounds of EV charging-hub grants under the Light Duty Vehicle (LDV) initiative. In June, 53 new fast and ultra-fast recharging hubs were approved across the national road network, delivering 175 new charging points.
Then in October, a further 90 hubs were approved across 90 locations, delivering 192 additional high-powered (circa 250 kW) chargers. This represents the final major phase of the LDV initiative and substantially improves national charging coverage.
Rolling out EV chargers across communities
Through the Shared Island Sports Club EV Charger Scheme, we established a procurement framework for installing EV chargers at sports clubs across Ireland, making EV charging more accessible in community settings, supporting grassroots sport, and embedding EV infrastructure into everyday places.
In April, Minister O’Brien, announced the final publication of the Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan, following public consultation. The Regional and Local Plan constitutes the second part of the National EV Charging Network Plan, following the finalisation of the National Road EV Charging Network Plan in May 2024.
Supporting heavier-duty transport & business fleets
Under the expanded grant support announced by Darragh O’Brien and administered by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), businesses can now access grants not only for purchasing electric heavy-duty vehicles, but also for installing depot and logistics charging infrastructure, helping decarbonise freight and commercial transport.
What Does it Mean?
2025 has shown that Ireland’s EV transition is real and growing. With over 200,000 EVs now on the road and work underway on the rollout of a national network of fast-charging hubs across motorways, rural roads and community spaces, EVs are becoming a practical, convenient, and increasingly viable choice for everyday use.
The green “flash” plates will help highlight the growth of EVs; targeted grants and support schemes will help address barriers; while committed dealerships and public-service-vehicle operators show that demand is rising across private and commercial transport
In addition, the expansion of the ZEHDV scheme and introduction of the Fleet Assessment schemes means Ireland is beginning to explore how we can decarbonise freight, logistic and heavy-duty transport, a key part of our broader transport emission reduction strategy.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Delivering Ireland new EV Infrastructure Strategy (2026-2028)
In the year ahead, ZEVI will publish and begin implementing a refreshed national strategy that sets out the next phase of Ireland EV-charging rollout. This updated plan will build on the progress of recent years and ensure charging infrastructure keeps pace with rapidly growing EV adoption.
Rolling out LDV1, LDV2 and LDV3
Work will continue at pace on the Light Duty Vehicle (LDV) charging programmes moving into full delivery. These initiatives will significantly expand high power charging availability across the national, regional and local road network, creating a more convenient and reliable system for drivers nationwide.
Prioritising the electrification of Heavy Duty Vehicles
While substantial progress has been made in electrifying the LDV fleet, decarbonising HDVs present a more complex challenge. Work is underway and our focus will intensify in 2026, on exploring how we can decarbonise freight, logistic and heavy-duty transport,
HDV Charging Infrastructure will be a key component in the new EV Infrastructure Strategy (2026-2028) while a pathway report from the HDV Electrification Working Group is expected to be published in early 2026.
Rolling out of Pilots Projects
In advance of Local Authorities developing their EV Charging Infrastructure Strategies early next year, ZEVI have developed a Local Authority EV Charging infrastructure pilot programme.
The aim of this pilot programme is to develop knowledge and understanding and explore innovative solutions for EV charging infrastructure across our Local Authorities. Work will continue on the roll out of 26 pilot projects across 15 Local Authorities.
These pilots include new innovations in renewable, battery backup, behind the meter solutions and flexible payments such as discounted off peak Neighbourhood Charging. The roll out of these pilots will be complete in 2026 and follow the delivery of the first pilot in Westside, Galway City earlier in the year
Breaking Ground at Sports Clubs Across the Island
With procurement frameworks now in place, 2026 will see physical installation works begin under the Shared Island Sports Club EV Charger Scheme. Sports Clubs from across Ireland, north and south, will start hosting community-based chargers, making EV charging more accessible in everyday locations.
Supporting drivers, businesses and fleet operators
Alongside infrastructure deliver, ZEVI will also continue to provide grants, guidance and industry specific support, including heavy duty vehicles and fleet operators, to help ensure that every part of Ireland can participate in the transition to zero emission transport.
Ongoing Support
This is in addition, to maintaining a generous range of incentives to support drivers’ transition to electric that includes:
- A purchase grant for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) such as M1 (passenger cars), N1S (light commercial vehicles), L1e-B (mopeds), L3 (motorbikes), N1L (large panel vans)
- A home charging scheme
- An apartment charging scheme
- Benefit-in-kind tax relief for BEVs
- VRT relief of up to €5,000 for BEVs
- A low rate of annual motor tax.
In Summary
By expanding Ireland’s charging infrastructure, we aim to ensure chargers are available wherever drivers need them: motorways, towns, rural roads, community spaces, and business depots.
We will continue to support households and citizens make the switch to electric and continue to raise awareness of the costs, benefits and real-world value of EVs, including environmental, economic, and quality-of-life benefits such as cleaner air, quieter streets, lower running costs.
We remain committed to the vision of a transport system that is sustainable, accessible, and fit for future generations.
