Electric car registrations surge 45% as market share grows
However, despite the growing popularity of petrol and diesel alternatives, latest figures have been labelled a sign of a slow puncture moment for the electric vehicle market by David Savage, Ireland and UK Vice President of telematics firm, Geotab.
While the Government is on course to reach its target of 175,000 private EVs on Irish roads by 2025, the overall share of the market for zero-emission vehicles remains pegged at just under 20%, effectively making it mathematically impossible to hit the 2030 goal of 945,000 EVs.
Momentum is gradually deflating as a result of reduced grants and high prices for new EV purchases. Without compelling incentives, consumers and businesses are simply going to keep voting with their wallets, and not purchase EVs in the numbers required to reach the level required to ultimately hit the 2030 target.
SIMI Director General, Brian Cooke has also called for ongoing government support, adding that it would be key to further sales growth in 2024, both in terms of vehicle and taxation incentives and investment in a fit-for-purpose charging infrastructure.
In Cork, more than 2,320 electric vehicles were registered last year, up more than 53% on 2022. Similarly, Limerick and Waterford recorded increases of 37.2% and 35% respectively.
Amongst total car registrations, Cork saw a 6.9% increase on 2022 figures, with Limerick and Waterford seeing a 6% and 4.8% rise respectively.
Despite a shift to electric vehicles, petrol remained the most popular engine type last year, with its market share for 2023 accounting for just over 30%, followed by diesel at 22.2%, electric at almost 19%, hybrid at 18.5% and plug-in hybrid at 8.3%.
Combined, electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid accounted for more than 45% of the market.
The mix in the new car market however, from electric to hybrid to more traditional engine types, highlights the diverse nature of Irish motorists’ driving requirements, and reducing the age of the national fleet, as well as moving to zero emission vehicles, will be vital if we want to get close to Ireland’s climate goals, Mr Cooke continued.
Imported used cars saw 50,716 registrations in 2023, an increase of 9.09% on 2022. New light commercial vehicle registrations in 2023 saw an increase of 25.1% compared to 2022, while new heavy commercial vehicle registrations saw a rise of 20.4% in comparison to the previous year.
