Over €3.9 million in EV demonstration grants mistakenly paid to Irish dealers

The Comptroller and Auditor General’s audit shows that almost €4 million in EV demonstration grants were paid above the EU de minimis threshold to Irish dealerships in 2025. These grants, managed by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland for vehicles used in demonstrations, are lower than private-purchase grants (€2,700 vs €3,500). The audit identified 80 dealers across 15 linked groups that breached the €300,000 three-year aid cap.

SE AI demanded repayment within 60 days and halted further funding pending compliance, with €109,400 recovered by 18 September 2026. Some firms have accepted the linked-enterprise label, while others are challenging the determination. The authority must recover the excess without jeopardising future grant payments, as the scheme supports the government’s goal of cutting transport emissions by half by 2030.