How EV grants stack in Ireland in 2026
2026 is the most generous — and the last — year to stack Ireland's electric-car incentives on a new BEV. Three separate supports apply, and they work in different ways, which is why a single calculator helps:
SEAI grant — €3,500
New BEVs priced €14,000–€60,000 (€50,000 from 31 July). Deducted by the dealer.
VRT relief — up to €5,000
Full under €40k OMSP, tapering to zero at €50k. Built into the price. Ends 31 December 2026.
ICE2EV scrappage — €5,000
Scrap a 2013-or-earlier petrol/diesel, buy a new EV. From 1 July 2026.
The SEAI grant and the ICE2EV scrappage are both cash deducted by your dealer at the point of sale — that is the up to €8,500 headline. VRT relief works differently: it is applied by Revenue when the car is first registered, so it is already reflected in the price you see on a new EV rather than handed to you separately. Our calculator shows all three so you can see the full picture without double-counting.
Buying a used EV? You skip the grants — but you start cheaper
None of the three new-car supports apply to a second-hand EV. The trade-off is that a used EV has already absorbed its VRT and the steepest part of its depreciation, so the up-front price is lower to begin with. Used-EV buyers still get the €300 SEAI home charger grant and €120-a-year motor tax, and in 2026 a used EV is now median-cheaper to run than an equivalent diesel. To see the running-cost gap in euro, use our EV vs petrol & diesel calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the EV grant in Ireland in 2026?+
The SEAI purchase grant for a new battery electric car (BEV) is €3,500 in 2026. It applies to new BEVs with a full price between €14,000 and €60,000 — though that upper limit drops to €50,000 for applications from 31 July 2026. The grant is paid to your dealer and shown as a deduction on the invoice, so you pay the discounted price up front. Used and imported EVs do not qualify for the purchase grant.
Can I get the SEAI grant and the ICE2EV scrappage together?+
Yes — they stack. From 1 July 2026 the ICE2EV scrappage scheme adds €5,000 when you scrap a petrol or diesel car registered in 2013 or earlier and buy a new EV. Combined with the €3,500 SEAI purchase grant, that is up to €8,500 off the price of a new electric car at the dealer. On top of that, VRT relief (up to €5,000) is already built into the price of a new BEV until the end of 2026.
When does VRT relief on electric cars end?+
VRT relief for battery electric vehicles is scheduled to end on 31 December 2026. New BEVs registered from 1 January 2027 pay full Vehicle Registration Tax for the first time since 2008 — typically several thousand euro more. The current relief is up to €5,000 for BEVs with an OMSP of €40,000 or less, tapering to zero at €50,000 and disappearing entirely above that.
What is the ICE2EV scrappage scheme and who qualifies?+
ICE2EV is a SEAI scrappage scheme launching on 1 July 2026. It pays €5,000 toward a new battery electric car when you permanently scrap an internal-combustion car registered in 2013 or earlier. You must have owned the scrapped car for at least 12 months, and it must be taxed, insured and have an NCT that expired no more than six months before you apply. The scrappage is only available when buying a new EV, and your dealer deducts it from the price.
Do used electric cars get any grant in Ireland?+
No — the €3,500 SEAI purchase grant, VRT relief and the ICE2EV scrappage all apply to new BEVs only. But a used EV is already cheaper because VRT and the steepest depreciation are baked into its price. Used-EV buyers still get the €300 SEAI home charger grant, €120-a-year motor tax (the lowest band), and far lower running costs — in 2026 a used EV is now median-cheaper to run than an equivalent diesel.
Is there still a grant for plug-in hybrids (PHEVs)?+
No. The SEAI grant for plug-in hybrids was discontinued at the end of 2022, and there is no purchase grant for full hybrids. Only fully battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) qualify for the €3,500 grant, VRT relief and the ICE2EV scrappage in 2026.
Related tools & guides
- SEAI EV Grant Guide 2026The full explainer behind the numbers.
- EV vs Petrol Calculator3- and 5-year running costs, side by side.
- VRT CalculatorEstimate VRT on an import, including BEV relief.
- Electric Cars for SaleLive EV stock from verified Irish dealers.
Disclaimer: This calculator gives estimates based on grant and tax figures current as of 9 June 2026. The ICE2EV scrappage scheme launches 1 July 2026 and its final terms should be confirmed with SEAI. Always check seai.ie and revenue.ie before placing an order. Autoza is a vehicle marketplace and does not administer government grants.