Electric vehicle sales in Ireland hit new record in January

Sales rebound following disappointing 2024

Electric Vehicle (EV) sales last month reached 4,925 a 20% increase when compared to 4,093 in January 2024. File Pic: Doug Peters/PA

Electric vehicle sales in January hit a new Irish record rebounding from a year of disappointing sales.

Data from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) shows Electric Vehicle (EV) sales last month reached 4,925 a 20% increase when compared to 4,093 in January 2024.

Overall new car registrations for the month of January were up 7% (33,521) compared to a year ago when 31,407 sales were recorded.

Last year saw a sharp decline in EV sales compared to 2023 with sales dropping 24% While January sees an annual surge in new car sales, the sector is hoping EV sales continue to outperform last year's sales.

Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General said the various EV types all saw significant growth, with their combined market share exceeding over half (55%) of the market.

"Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) sales surged in January, with 4,925 registrations, up 20% on the same period last year, the highest monthly total number of EVs sold, although their overall market share of 15% has yet to reach 2023 levels (19%)," he said.

Mr Cooke said the EV market continues to depend heavily on private sales that benefit from SEAI grant support, highlighting the importance of ongoing Government incentives to help stimulate the market. 

"The supply of EVs is there, with more newer EV models coming on stream across a range of price-points, so the focus must be clearly on supporting demand in what is still a relatively new market," he said.

The SIMI data shows Light Commercial vehicles (LCV) are down 16% (6,270) compared to January last year (7,478), while HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) registrations increased 8% (489). Imported Used Cars saw a 5% (5,604) rise.

By engine type, petrol cars remain the leader at 28.24%, followed by Hybrid (Petrol Electric) 24.89%, Diesel at 16.31%, Electric at 14.69% and Plug-in Electric Hybrid at 14.17%.

Automatic transmissions account for 71.71% of the market, while manual transmissions continue to see a decline 28.28%.

The Hyundai Tuscon was the best-selling car in January while the Volkswagen ID.4 was the best-selling EV.