CSO report shows 45.8% green vehicle share, though pure electric sales decline for first time
Electric and hybrid vehicles accounted for 46% of all new cars sold in Ireland in 2024, representing continued growth in the transition away from traditional combustion engines, according to a Central Statistics Office report.
The 45.8% share of electric or hybrid vehicles among new registrations in 2024 represents an increase from 45% in 2023 and marks a dramatic rise from just 1.7% recorded in 2015.
Hybrid vehicles proved more popular than pure electric cars last year. Hybrids’ share grew from 25.8% of new car registrations in 2023 to 31.1% in 2024, demonstrating strong consumer preference for the technology that combines combustion engines with electric motors.
However, for the first time, sales of new pure electric vehicles declined. Electric cars represented 19.2% of all new vehicles in 2023 but fell to 14.7% in 2024—a notable reversal after years of consistent growth.
The electric market is expected to rebound as new models arrive, with manufacturers expanding EV offerings across price points and vehicle categories. The temporary decline may reflect buyers waiting for upcoming models, concerns about charging infrastructure, or affordability challenges as government incentives phase out.
Ireland’s progress toward electrification aligns with EU climate targets requiring significant emissions reductions from transport—one of the country’s highest-emitting sectors. The government aims to have 1 million electric vehicles on roads by 2030, requiring accelerated adoption rates.
The hybrid surge suggests many buyers view the technology as a practical compromise—offering fuel efficiency improvements and some electric driving capability without “range anxiety” or dependence on charging infrastructure.
Pure electric adoption faces ongoing challenges including higher upfront costs despite lower running expenses, charging infrastructure gaps particularly in rural areas and apartment complexes, and concerns about battery range and cold-weather performance.
Recent announcements about electricity grid upgrades costing €18.9 billion aim to support 1 million electric vehicles by 2030, though consumers face monthly bill increases of up to €1.75 to fund the infrastructure necessary for mass EV adoption.
The data reflects broader European trends where hybrid sales often outpace pure electric as consumers balance environmental concerns with practical considerations about charging convenience and vehicle versatility.
Government policy influences adoption significantly through grants, tax incentives, lower motor tax rates for electric vehicles, and company car benefit-in-kind rules favoring low-emission vehicles.
The 45.8% combined electric and hybrid share positions Ireland well internationally, though pure electric adoption rates lag leaders like Norway where EVs dominate new sales through aggressive incentives and charging infrastructure investment.
Combustion-only vehicles still represented 54.2% of 2024 sales, indicating substantial work remains to achieve full transport electrification aligned with climate targets requiring near-elimination of fossil fuel vehicles by mid-century.
The first-time decline in pure electric sales warrants attention from policymakers, potentially indicating that early adopters have been exhausted and mainstream buyers require different incentives, infrastructure improvements, or vehicle options to embrace full electrification.
Manufacturers’ expanding EV lineups, improving battery technology extending ranges, falling battery costs, and maturing charging networks should support renewed electric growth in coming years, though hybrid popularity may persist as a transitional technology.
The CSO data provides important benchmarks for tracking Ireland’s transport decarbonization progress and informing policy adjustments needed to accelerate the transition toward zero-emission vehicles.