Electric vehicle (EV) sales in Ireland have soared this year, with 23,085 new electric cars registered so far — a jump of nearly 40% compared to the same period in 2024, according to new figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI).
Overall, 123,858 new cars of all engine types were sold in the first ten months of 2025, representing a 3.4% increase year-on-year. While petrol cars remain the most popular choice among Irish drivers, the data indicates a clear and continuing shift toward more sustainable transport options.
Petrol cars accounted for just over a quarter (25%) of new car registrations between January and October, followed by hybrid petrol-electric vehicles at 22.5%. Fully electric models captured 18.6% of the market, with diesel cars making up 17% and plug-in hybrids accounting for nearly 15%.
Despite a 9% dip in overall new car registrations during October compared with the same month last year, SIMI said the broader market remains in growth territory. “October new car registrations declined by 9% year-on-year, but year-to-date sales are still more than 3% ahead, with a total of 123,858 new cars registered,” said SIMI Director General Brian Cooke.
Cooke highlighted the strong momentum in electric vehicle sales, noting that October marked the tenth consecutive month of EV growth. “October’s new battery electric car registrations show growth in every county, with 709 units registered — a 34% increase on October 2024,” he said. “Year-to-date EV registrations have now reached 23,085 units, a 39% increase on the same period last year.”
Toyota continues to lead Ireland’s overall car market in 2025, followed by Volkswagen, Skoda, Hyundai and Kia. The Hyundai Tucson remains the country’s best-selling model, ahead of the Skoda Octavia, Kia Sportage, Toyota Yaris Cross and Toyota RAV4.
In the electric vehicle segment, Volkswagen dominates the leaderboard, followed by Kia, Hyundai, Tesla and Skoda. The Volkswagen ID.4 remains Ireland’s most popular electric model, trailed by the Tesla Model 3, Kia EV3, Tesla Model Y and Kia EV6.
Industry analysts say the surge in EV sales reflects both growing consumer confidence in electric technology and the government’s ongoing push to reduce carbon emissions through incentives and infrastructure expansion. With sustained double-digit growth across all regions, 2025 is shaping up to be another milestone year for Ireland’s transition toward cleaner transport.
