Sir, – Recent reports citing increased costs of running an electric vehicle are missing an important point: electric vehicles are still the most affordable option for most drivers.

The vast majority of EV owners can fulfil their daily travel needs by charging their cars at home, using smart tariffs including discounted overnight rates or free weekend day rates.

The savings are significant, even given the recent increases in the price of electricity. It costs a typical EV driver as little as €0.03 per kilometre to run an electric vehicle, compared with €0.09 for petrol or diesel cars. That is a huge difference.

Using smart EV charging tariffs, or charging from your home solar PV system, could make the difference even larger.

SEAI provides grants towards the cost of home chargers and the installation of them, including for those living in apartments.

We also provide up to €3,500 off the sticker price of buying an EV, which are getting cheaper to buy, competing very well with the upfront cost of petrol and diesel alternatives.

Motor tax is also significantly reduced, just €120 annually for EVs versus up to €2,350 for petrol and diesel vehicles. Maintenance costs are also lower – down by about 70 per cent due to fewer moving parts in the vehicle. Resale values are strong.

So, in defence of EVs, those considering a new car should join more than 100,000 Irish drivers who have already made the switch. It’s the right thing to do, especially for your wallet. – Yours, etc,

WILLIAM WALSH,

Chief executive,

The Sustainable Energy

Authority of Ireland (SEAI),

Dublin

Parrott’s place

Sir, – Having said in a recent interview that he’d been focusing on being in the right place at the right time, I have to say Troy Parrott seems to have mastered this remarkably useful skill! What a week for Ireland’s football team. – Yours, etc,

BRIAN O’BRIEN,

Kinsale,

Co Cork.

Sir, – This result proves to me that GOD is an Irishman.