Electric Vehicles (EVs)
Electric Vehicles have significantly progressed since the concept version and are here to stay. With increased battery range, performance of the vehicle and sleek looks, there is a wide variety for businesses and consumers to choose from.
We will try to help you understand the many acronyms you have heard - BEV, PHEV, HEV & ICE - to help you choose the right option for you.
BEV: Battery Electric Vehicle
This type of vehicle is solely powered by electricity Examples of cars in this bracket include:
Tesla, Hyundai Kona, Nissan Leaf, BMW i3, Audi E-Tron
PHEV: Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle
A hybrid electric vehicle that also has a standard petrol engine. This vehicle uses the electric element for short journeys and the petrol engine kicks in for longer journeys. Examples include:
VW Golf GTE, Volvo XC60 Twin Engine, Mitsubishi Outlander
HEV: Hybrid Electric Vehicle
This type of vehicle doesn’t require a plug in charger. The HEV is made up of a small battery & petrol/diesel engine. The electric element is used for short journeys and the petrol/diesel engine kicks in for longer journeys. The battery charges through regenerative braking. Examples include:
Toyota Corolla Hybrid, Ford Mondeo Hybrid
ICE: Internal Combustion Engines
ICE refers to the engine rather than the type of vehicle. This type of engine is the most common vehicle on our roads today but over time, diesel engines will be phased out for greener electric vehicles.
Benefits to the employer/employee
- Reduce carbon footprint as part of your CSR strategy
- As announced in Budget 2022, the BIK exemption for battery electric vehicles will be extended out to 2025 with a tapering effect on the vehicle value. This measure will take effect from 2023. For BIK purposes, currently, battery electric vehicles qualify for a 0% BIK rate on the first €50,000 of the original market value; this will be reduced to €35,000 for 2023; €20,000 for 2024; and €10,000 for 2025.
- Lower road tax
- Discounts on toll roads
- Reduction in Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) when compared to certain petrol & diesel models.
- Significant reduction in maintenance costs.
- Significant reduction in fuel costs compared to a petrol or diesel
Charging Information:
An Electric Vehicle can be typically charged in 6-8 hours which can be completed overnight.
Considerations for charging costs
- What time is the vehicle being charged during the day – peak/off peak, day/night?
- Who is the electricity provider – different rates being charged?
- Where is the vehicle being charged – Business, private household or public network?
- How long is the vehicle being charged for?
- What is the size of the battery in the electric vehicle?
Charger Detail
We can recommend charger suppliers to our drivers should they wish to find out additional information.
Charging Networks
Public Network: There are currently two types of charging stations on the ESB ecars network: Standard AC (22kW) and Fast (50kW) Chargers. For more information on these charges, please see the ESB link - https://esb.ie/ecars/how-to-charge-your-ev
Standard chargers can charge your car in approximately 1-8 hours, depending on the type of car and battery size.
Fast (or rapid) chargers are generally found in motorway service stations to allow for longer journeys. These charging points can charge a car up to 80% in approximately 30 minutes depending on car type and battery size.