Petrol remains most popular choice for Irish new car buyers

Total new car registrations in Ireland for 2025 reached 124,954, representing a 3% increase when compared to 2024 (121,316).

The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) has released its official new vehicle registrations statistics for 2025.  These show petrol remains the most popular engine type of choice for 2025, despite a decline in market share. Electric, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid vehicles have gained momentum, accounting for over 56% of the market.

Some 23,601 new electric cars were registered in 2025, an increase of 35.1% from the 17,460 registrations seen in 2024. Market share for 2025 sees petrol accounting for 25.11%, hybrid 22.48%, electric 18.89%, diesel 17.09%, and plug-in hybrid 14.82%. 

Automatic transmissions account for 75.25% of the market share in 2025, while manual transmissions have declined to 24.73%.

The hatchback continues to remain Ireland’s top-selling car body type of 2025. Grey has retained the top-selling colour title for the tenth year running. 

New light commercial vehicle (LCV) registrations in 2025 saw an increase of 7% (32,779) compared to 2024 (30,669). New heavy commercial vehicle registrations (HGV) decreased by 5.1% (2,715) in comparison to 2024 (2,862).

Imported used cars saw 71,813 registrations in 2025, an increase of 16.6% on 2024 (61,583).

Brian Cooke, SIMI director general, said:  “The new car market in 2025 finished in line with projections, as new car registrations reached 124,954 units, an increase of 3% on 2024. Light commercial vehicles sales were 7% ahead of last year, while HGV registrations were down 5% on 2024.

“Battery-electric cars reached 23,601 units, an increase of 35% on 2024, the highest level of sales annually, surpassing the previous record year of 2023, with an increase in registrations in every county. This, along with the increase in plug-in hybrid registrations, meant that Ireland comfortably surpassed the 2025 Climate Action Plan targets. 

“Hybrid-electric vehicles also continued to gain momentum in 2025, while traditional fuels (petrol and diesel) have seen a decline in their market share. 

“The 261 sales period has now commenced, and the Irish Motor Industry is optimistic for the year ahead. Retailers and manufacturers have a variety of offers and different models available for both new and used cars to suit all buyers, making it a good time to shop around.”