ESB e-Cars, Ireland’s state-owned electric vehicle charging network, has increased its public charging rates by 7 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), effective immediately. The operator cited higher operational expenses and rising electricity network charges as the main reasons behind the price adjustment. The increase affects all public charging plans nationwide, with a further hike likely in late October when the value-added tax (VAT) rate returns to its previous level.
The updated rates for Pay-As-You-Go customers are now 59c per kWh for AC charging (7-22kW), 64c for DC charging between 50 and 150kW, and 66c for chargers exceeding 150kW. Monthly subscribers who pay €4.79 are charged slightly less: 54c per kWh for slow chargers, 59c for fast chargers, and 61c for very fast chargers. While still below the standard Ionity rate of 73c per kWh at 350kW chargers, Ionity’s subscription plan offers a lower price of 53c per kWh with a €5.99 monthly fee.
“This price increase is being implemented in response to sustained increases in operational costs and electricity network charges absorbed by ESB e-Cars in recent months,” the company said in a statement. “The new pricing supports continued investment in our EV charger network and the continued rollout of high-power chargers, ensuring a robust and future-ready EV charging infrastructure.”
Overstay fees remain unchanged: 50c per minute after 45 minutes on fast and high-power chargers, and after 10 hours on standard charge points, with a maximum fee of €22.50. ESB added that the “new prices will remain competitive in the marketplace, particularly for customers using fast and high-power chargers.” A further price revision is expected at the end of October, when the current 9% VAT rate on public EV charging returns to the standard 13.5%.
