Free energia EV charger with some dealers

Del007 · 26-01-2026 08:43PM #1

The wife is after getting an EV Opel, as part of the deal we get a free charger from Energia.

I've been on the phone to Energia today and they're saying that I have to change my tariff in order to avail of the free charger.

We're already an Energia customer and are quite happy with the tariff that we are on.

Has anyone gone through this and were forced to change tariff?

Thanks a lot

bazz26 · 26-01-2026 09:02PM

Did you check the new tariff rates they want to put you on or the length of contract you sign up for?

Usually there no such thing as a free lunch with these offers. This is how these energy providers recoup some of the cost of the "free" charger back by putting you on a high tariff.

Del007 · 26-01-2026 09:05PM

My current rates will go up by 25%

You see it's not written down anywhere that I have to change with my tariff. It seems like they're just making it up.

I asked them to send me a link to where it states this in their terms and conditions but they haven't done this

User1998 · 27-01-2026 08:51AM

"To qualify for Energia’s free EV home charger offer, new or existing customers must register for an eligible domestic electricity plan, specifically EV Smart Drive (not EV Smart Drive Plus, which is excluded)

EV Smart Drive: 12-month contract with 100% renewable electricity; offers a low night rate of 9.42c/kWh from 2am-6am (4-hour window) for EV charging.

EV Smart Drive Plus: Similar but with a more flexible 4-hour charging window. Explicitly not available for the charger promotion."

That was from Chat GPT, source used was Energia.ie

fafy · 28-01-2026 05:50PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058431704/free-energia-ev-charger-with-some-dealers

It would be worth taking the charger, as a "standard" install, is zero cost to you, after you claim the grant, and I think Opel offer Ohme or Zappi chargers, which suit most people. Otherwise, even an ultra basic charger is circa €750+ post grant an additional cost to you, if you do it yourself. You can always pay the €50 early exit fee afterwards, once the charger has been installed etc, and then change suppliers,

but look at EV Smart Drive as not the worst tariff, but depends on your needs/setup of course.

daheff · 28-01-2026 06:01PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124187880#Comment_124187880

i'd double check the T&Cs on the agreement for the charger before cancelling the plan. there maybe some kind of clawback

Cristobaal · 28-01-2026 06:06PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124187880#Comment_124187880

If you get free charger offer, the exit fee is 200 euro not 50 euro.

Buddy Bubs · 28-01-2026 07:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124187925#Comment_124187925

Yes I can confirm that's correct, my father is on the free charger plan. We must do some sums and see if its worth the 200 breakage fee

fafy · 29-01-2026 04:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124187925#Comment_124187925

fair enough, and good to know,

However, it may still be worth it for many, as one is comparing a €200 nett cost to exit, versus the cost of installing a new charger yourself, and a Zappi is at least a grand to get installed, post grant claim.

Free energia EV charger with some dealers

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