Battery electric vehicles up 34.3% in Ireland

New car registrations for October in Ireland were down 9.3% (2,192) when compared to October 2024 (2,417). So far this year, over 23,000 new electric cars have been registered, says the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) 

Official SIMI new vehicle registration statistics for October reveal registrations year to date are up 3.4% (123,858) on the same period last year (119,772). 
Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) increased by 41.8% (1,694) compared to October last year (1,195). 

Year to date, LCVs are up 4.7% (31,447). Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) registrations are up 7.8% (138) compared to October 2024 (128). Year to date, HGVs are down 7.6% (2,541). 

Imported Used Cars have seen a 19% (6,791) rise in October 2025, when compared to October 2024 (5,709). 

Year to date imports are up 13.1% (60,452) on 2024 (53,446). 

In October 709 new electric cars (battery electric cars) were registered, which was 34.3% higher than the 528 registrations in October 2024. So far this year, 23,085 new electric cars have been registered, representing a 38.6% increase compared to the same period in 2024, when 16,653 electric cars were registered. 

In the new car market share by engine type for 2025, petrol cars continue as the new car market leader at 25.23%, followed by hybrid (petrol electric) at 22.56%, electric at 18.64%, diesel at 17.13%, and plug-in electric hybrid at 14.83%. 

Brian Cooke, SIMI director general, commented: “While October new car registrations declined by 9% when compared to the same month last year, year-to-date new car sales remain over 3% ahead, with a total of 123,858 new cars registered. 

“October's new battery electric car registrations indicate growth in every county, with 709 units registered, an increase of 34% when compared to October 2024, marking the tenth consecutive month of growth in EV sales. 

“Year-to-date EV registrations have now reached 23,085 units, a 39% increase on the same period last year. 

“In the commercial vehicle sector, both light and heavy commercial vehicles experienced growth in October, with LCV registrations showing a 42% increase for the month and are 5% up year-to-date. 

“HGV registrations showed an 8% increase in October, but overall are 8% down on last year.”