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| Skoda Elroq EV. |
The number of electric cars registered so far this year in Ireland has reached 20,656, a 37 per cent increase on the same period last year, writes Brian Byrne. That's one highlight in the August sales figures released by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry, which noted that overall car sales are up by 3.4 per cent year to date, to 116,099.
In powertrain type, petrol cars continue as the new car market leader at 26.31%, followed by hybrid (Petrol Electric) at 22.35%, electric at 17.79%, diesel at 17.26%, and plug-in electric hybrid at 14.72%.
Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General, says electric car sales have now recovered to 2023 levels, which he said would not have been possible without Government incentives. "With Budget 2026 fast approaching, the Government must recommit to the EV project, extend the current incentives, and consider additional targeted measures which focus on the business sector or the second-hand EV market."
The top-selling EV brands were Volkswagen, Kia, Hyundai, Tesla and Skoda.
