Electric vehicle (EV) sales in Ireland have witnessed a noticeable dip, dropping by 19.1% this year, with a staggering 41% decline in April alone compared to the previous year. Despite this downturn, conventional fuel-powered and hybrid cars are experiencing a surge in popularity.
So far this year, 9,028 new EVs have been registered, constituting 12.7% of total car sales, a drop from the 16% share they held during the same period last year. In contrast, petrol cars dominate 33% of the market, followed by diesel at 23.6%, regular hybrids at 21%, and plug-in hybrids at 9%.
Hyundai and Volkswagen, major players in the EV segment, have seen significant drops in sales, with Hyundai experiencing a 40% decline. Nevertheless, the overall car market has grown by 6%, with a total of 71,110 new registrations in the first four months of the year.
Toyota maintains its position as the leading car-selling company in Ireland, with 10,685 registrations, followed closely by Skoda and Volkswagen. However, despite ranking fourth in total car sales, Hyundai’s Tucson emerges as the most purchased model in the country, with 3,264 units sold so far this year. Skoda Octavia and Kia Sportage follow closely behind.
Despite the challenges faced by the EV market, the Irish car industry continues to demonstrate resilience and adaptability, with consumers showing a preference for versatile and reliable models like the Hyundai Tucson.