EV sales drop again – SIMI

A total of 1,091 new electric cars were registered in Ireland last month, which is 41.4 per cent lower than the 1,863 registrations in April 2023, according to figures released today by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI).

So far this year, 9,028 new electric cars have been registered which is a 19.1 per cent decrease compared to the same period in 2023 when 11,160 electric cars were registered.

New car registrations for April were down 3.6 per cent (8,591) when compared to April 2023 (8,912). Registrations for the year-to-date are up six per cent (71,110) on the same period last year (67,063).

In the new car market share by engine type for 2024, petrol leads at 32.92 per cent, followed by diesel at 23.56 per cent, then hybrid (petrol electric) at 20.44% per cent, electric at 12.70 per cent, and plug-in electric hybrid at 8.76 per cent.

Imported used cars have seen a 35.6 per cent (5,206) rise in April 2024, when compared to April 2023 (3,838). For the year-to-date imports are up 26.9 per cent (20,694) on 2023 (16,311).

2024 total new vehicle stats:

Top selling car brands:
1. Toyota; 2. Skoda; 3. Volkswagen; 4. Hyundai; 5. Kia

Top car models:
1. Hyundai Tucson; 2. Skoda Octavia; 3. Kia Sportage; 4. Toyota RAV4; 5. Toyota Yaris Cross.

Top 5 selling EV brands:
1. Volkswagen; 2. Hyundai; 3. Tesla; 4. BYD; 5. Kia.

Top 5 selling EVs:
1. VW ID.4; 2. Hyundai Kona; 3. Tesla Model 3; 4. Skoda Enyaq; 5. MG MG4.

Top selling car (April):
Hyundai Tucson

Top selling EV (April)
Volkswagen ID.4

Elsewhere, light commercial vehicle (LCV) sales increased by three per cent (2,212) compared to April last year (2,148). For the year-to-date LCVs are up 29 per cent (17,543).

HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) registrations are up 37.2 per cent (332) in comparison to April 2023 (242). For the year-to-date this segment is up 19.5 per cent (1,442).