Electric vehicle sales in Ireland have dropped dramatically in 2024, with industry leaders calling for immediate government action to restore consumer confidence despite what they describe as ideal market conditions for EV adoption.
The Central Statistics Office reports a 25% decline in EV sales during the first 11 months of 2024, even as charging infrastructure expands and electric cars become more affordable than their petrol and diesel counterparts. This slump threatens Ireland’s climate goals, which initially aimed for one million EVs on roads by 2030.
“The market conditions are as good as you need them to be. And that’s the first time we can say that,” says Denis Murphy of Blackwater Motors in Cork. “But there’s a lot of consumers needing to have confidence in the product.”
Industry experts point to the government’s reduction of the EV purchase grant from €5,000 to €3,500 in 2023 as contributing to weakened consumer trust. The Society of the Irish Motor Industry’s Brian Cooke emphasizes that such policy changes send negative signals about Ireland’s commitment to the EV transition.
According to The Irish Examiner, current figures show 128,317 electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles on Irish roads, falling short of the Climate Action Plan’s 2025 target of 175,000. With EVs representing just 24% of new car sales compared to 54% for petrol and diesel vehicles, industry leaders are urging the incoming government to take “decisive action” to revive the sector’s momentum.