22,789 new electric cars were sold in Ireland last year, up 45% on 2022.
New figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) show that EV registrations were up over 560% when compared to 2019.
The market share of EVs increased from 15% in 2022 to almost 19% last year.
The top five selling new EVs during the year were the Volkswagen ID.4, the Tesla Model Y, the Skoda Enyaq, the Hyundai IONIQ 5, and the MG4.
Brian Cooke, Director General of SIMI said they expect to see further growth in EV sales this year.
“Key to this will be the ongoing Government support, both in terms of vehicle and taxation incentives and investment in a fit for purpose charging infrastructure,” he said.
“The mix in the new car market however, from electric to hybrid to more traditional engine types, highlights the diverse nature of Irish motorists’ driving requirements, and reducing the age of the national fleet, as well as moving to zero emission vehicles, will be vital if we want to get close to Ireland’s climate goals,” he added.
Today’s figures show that a total of 121,850 new cars were registered last year, up 16% on 2022 and 4% on 2019.
The overall top five new car models were the Hyundai Tucson, the Kia Sportage, the Toyota Corolla, the Toyota Yaris Cross and the Volkswagen ID.4.
Petrol cars accounted for 30% of the market share, while diesel accounted for just over 22%.
Electric cars made up 18.7% of the market share, hybrid for 18.5% and plug in hybrid for around 8%.
The hatchback continues to remain Ireland’s top selling car body type, while grey retains the top selling colour for the eight year running.
Fleet management software and telematics provider, Geotab said momentum is gradually deflating in the Irish EV market as a result of reduced grants and high prices.
“While the Government is on course to reach its target of 175,000 private EVs on Irish roads by 2025, the overall share of the market for zero emission vehicles remains pegged at just under 20%, effectively making it mathematically impossible to hit the 2030 goal of 945,000 EVs,” said David Savage, Geotab Vice President, Ireland & UK.
“With the UK Government recently pushing out its ban on the sale of new internal combustion engine (ICE) cars and vans from 2030 to 2035, the ongoing availability of right-hand drive ICE vehicles will further deflate interest in making the switch to electric,” he added.
