Revealed: Ireland’s Most EV-Ready Counties

As Ireland continues to play its part in reducing carbon emissions, electric vehicles (EVs) are playing a critical role in helping reduce transport-related carbon output. Some parts of the country are pulling ahead when it comes to making that shift easier, faster, and more accessible for everyone.

At Energia, we wanted to find out which counties are best prepared for the electric future. Using data from across the country, we ranked each county based on a tailored EV Readiness Score, factoring in public charging availability and the latest trends in EV uptake.

How We Ranked Each County’s EV Readiness

To calculate each county’s EV Readiness Score, we analysed two key metrics:

• Public EV chargers per 100,000 people – a strong indicator of infrastructure availability and accessibility
• New EV car registrations in 2024 – showing which counties are adopting EVs fastest

These two indicators were weighted and combined into a single EV Readiness Score, giving a clear view of how prepared each county is for a fully electric transport future.

Ireland’s Most EV Ready Counties

Spotlight on the Top 5 Counties

1. Dublin – Ireland’s EV Capital (Score: 160)

With nearly 2,000 public EV chargers and over 9,000 new electric vehicles registered in 2024 alone, Dublin comfortably tops the rankings. As Ireland’s most densely populated county, the capital has made significant investments in public charging infrastructure to keep pace with surging EV demand.

2. Wicklow – The Commuter County Charging Ahead (Score: 128)

Wicklow performs exceptionally well across the board, with a high rate of EV uptake and solid infrastructure per capita. As a popular commuter base for Dublin, the county’s readiness supports both local drivers and daily EV commuters.

3. Westmeath – A Rural Leader in Infrastructure (Score: 122)

Surprisingly strong for a midlands county, Westmeath stands out for its 187 chargers per 100,000 people, the highest rate in the country. Despite a smaller population, this accessibility makes it one of the most EV-friendly counties outside major urban centres.

4. Kildare – Strong Growth in EV Adoption (Score: 111)

With one of the highest numbers of new EV registrations per capita and good access to public charging stations, Kildare continues to evolve into a green transport hub, helped in part by its proximity to major motorways and distribution networks.

5. Clare – Green and Getting Greener (Score: 104)

Clare continues its reputation as a green leader, with strong charger coverage and growing EV adoption. Its performance places it ahead of larger counties, showing how rural regions can still outperform when it comes to smart investment and forward-thinking policies.

Other Notable Counties

• Cork (Rank 6): As Ireland’s largest county by area, Cork is balancing regional demand and investment. It has a robust number of EV chargers and strong uptake among residents.
• Louth (Rank 8): Louth’s compact size and strong charger distribution make it one of the easiest places in Ireland to drive electric.
• Waterford (Rank 10): With growing infrastructure and new EV uptake climbing steadily, Waterford rounds out the top 10.

Counties Lagging Behind

At the other end of the scale, counties such as Mayo, Leitrim, and Roscommon appear in the bottom five, largely due to lower charger density and slower EV registration numbers. Improving public access to fast chargers and raising awareness of EV incentives could help close the gap in the coming years. It should noted that due to these counties being more rural, that will no doubt be playing a role in EV uptake. 

Andrew Dunne, EV Product Owner at Energia commented on the findings: "As an energy supplier, Energia recognises the crucial role we play in supporting the transition to electric vehicles. We work hard to develop tariffs and bundles that offer best the value for EV owners. We have free* charger offers with several car brands including Kia, Hyundai, Peugeot, Opel, Citroën, Honda, Fiat and JEEP and as part of our partnership with Zapmap, we’re helping EV drivers easily find charging solutions on their planned routes.”

Melanie Shufflebothan, Co-founder and COO of Zapmap also commented on the research: "We're delighted that the Zapmap app and map are now a part of Energia's focus on making the EV driving experience as straightforward and accessible as possible. Together, we're enabling EV drivers to plan smarter journeys and access reliable public charging, accelerating  the switch to low emission mobility."

Why EV Readiness Matters

As Ireland targets one million EVs on the road by 2030, regional access to reliable, fast charging, as well as home charging availability will become critical. Counties that invest early in infrastructure are not only helping the environment, they’re also improving transport equity and supporting local economic development.

Future you will thank you for switching to an Energia EV Smart Plan

At Energia, we’re proud to support Ireland’s EV transition. Whether you're already driving electric or just getting started, we offer:

• Smart EV home charger installation
• Free Home chargers**
• EV specific tariffs 

** Free Home Charger offer is subject to an initial €300 payment which is reimbursed through a grant. Details here - Electric Car Free EV Home Charger Offer 2025 | Energia