Electric car sales surge 115% during May

There were 2,335 new electric cars registered during May, compared to 1,086 registrations in May last year

There have been more electric cars registered during the first five months of this year than during the entire year of 2024. 

New electric car registrations more than doubled during the month of May, compared to the same period last year, which led to a 39% increase in the overall number of new cars sold, new data from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry shows.

According to the data, there were 2,335 new electric cars registered during May, an increase of 115% from the 1,086 registrations in May last year. 

So far this year, electric car registrations are up 53.82%, to 19,050. There have been more electric cars registered during the first five months of this year than during the entire year of 2024, when there were 17,460 registered.

Across all of 2025, there were 23,601 new electric cars registered.

The top-selling electric car brand during the month was Volkswagen, followed by Hyundai, and Kia. The best-selling electric car model was the Volkswagen ID.4, followed by the Skoda Enyaq, and the Skoda Elroq.

Operations director at SIMI Emma Mitchell said while the electric car registrations were positive, “we are now at a critical juncture to sustain the strong growth in a market that is not yet fully established”.

The Government must capitalise on this momentum by maintaining and extending current incentives for consumers, and encourage more businesses to change to battery electric vehicles.

Across the entire market, there were 8,068 new cars registered during the month, a 38.58% increase year-on-year. Registrations year to date are up 4.7% to 83,038.

In the new car market share by engine type, petrol-electric hybrid cars continue to lead the market at 26.14% as the most popular engine type, followed by electric 22.94%, petrol 21.41%, plug-in hybrid 14.28%, and diesel 12.94%.

Imported used cars also saw a 31.2% (7,808) rise in May to 7,808.

Toyota was the best-selling car brand overall during May, with the Toyota Yaris Cross being the best-selling car model.