ELECTRIC CAR SALES continue to go from strength to strength in Ireland, with buyers prioritising sustainability and cost-efficiency over traditional models. 

However, if you’ve been driving a traditional car your whole life, the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) might seem a bit daunting. 

The process of buying a new car should always be an exciting one rather than a scary one, though, which is why we’ve put together a guide to the five things you need to decide for yourself when browsing or buying an electric car. 

Take charge

As you might imagine, one of the most important factors to consider before buying an electric car is where you’ll charge it. While there are now over 2,500 charging points all across Ireland, naturally you’ll still need a facility for home charging to make sure your car is always ready to go when you need it. 

Grants are available to help you install a home charger, though, and you’ll definitely save money in the long run if you can charge your car at home overnight, rather than relying on filling stations or other charging points. If you want to buy an EV, a charging plan is one of the very first things to wrap your head around.

Budget crunch

Once you’ve started thinking about making the switch to an electric car, one of the first things to consider is your budget and how you plan to pay for it. While EVs can have a higher upfront cost, grants and lower running costs can help offset this over time. Taking a closer look at the total cost, including fuel savings and maintenance, can give you a clearer picture of what’s affordable for you.

If you’re exploring ways to fund your next car, a personal loan could be one option to consider. Try the PTSB Personal Loan calculator to see how much you could borrow and plan your next step towards going electric.

Have you got the range?

Much like traditional cars, not every electric car offers the same performance. Just as some cars can get further on a full tank, some EVs go further on a full charge. This is why you’ll need to take stock of your usual needs, how far you tend to drive, and how often you’re prepared to charge your car to the max.

Naturally, EVs that give you more kilometres for your buck are going to cost a little bit more, but most standard EVs will fall somewhere in the range of taking you between 300km-600km on a full charge. Of course, that’s a pretty big difference, so make sure you’re looking at electric cars that will suit your needs.

Size matters

In some ways, electric vehicles are a revolution compared to traditional cars, but in many other ways, nothing has changed. Just as you’ve always done, you’ll need to take into consideration the size of your car. First and foremost, a bigger car is going to use more energy to get around, but you also have to take into account all of the typical things. How much space you have in your driveway, if you have family to ferry around, and what size car you feel most comfortable driving all need to be taken into account.

Of course, if you do a lot of city driving, it could also be sensible to opt for a smaller car that’s easier to park — especially if you’re looking to charge up while out and about.

Don’t worry too much about the battery

Many EV experts will tell you that many buyers focus too much on the size of their battery. Much like with traditional vehicles, the risk of your battery dying as a result of normal car usage is very low. Yes, a bigger battery might mean more range, but unless you’re a frequent long-range driver, that might not matter too much.

You should also be aware that the bigger the battery, the more weight in the car, which can affect things like handling and wear-and-tear on your tyres. 

PTSB has Ireland’s lowest rate for Personal Loans between €25,000 and €75,000. So, you can go from test driving to road trips in your new car.

Visit ptsb.ie to learn more.

Lowest rate source CCPC.ie 18th September 2025, excluding green loans. Lending criteria, terms and conditions apply. Subject to affordability assessment. Security may be required. Over 18s only. Permanent TSB plc trading as PTSB is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

Information correct at the time of publishing and subject to change.