According to new figures from the Central Statistics Office, 14pc of all new cars licensed for the first time were electric compared with 19pc in the same period last year. In real terms this was a drop from 20,517 to 15,460.
The number of new petrol and electric hybrid cars licensed was up by 31pc year-on-year – 22,604 compared with 17,228. This has increased the share of electric hybrids among new private cars from 18pc to 22pc.
Commenting on the figures Phil Barnes, business development manager of Geotab in Ireland and the UK, said we are now at the point where, mathematically, it is impossible to reach the Government’s target of having 945,000 EVs on the road by 2030.
Today’s News in 90 Seconds – October 9th
“Essentially the entire market would have to switch to electric overnight for any chance of achieving the goal,” he said.
Mr Barnes pointed out that there is now a stark contrast between EV sales in the Republic compared with Northern Ireland, where battery EV sales rose by almost 35pc year-on-year. There, EVs’ overall share of the market has reached 15.5pc, up from 10.5pc at the start of the year.
“While there were some positives in Budget 2025 with changes in VRT categorisation for electric light commercial vehicles, as well as BIK benefits in terms of company cars and the installation of home chargers, there was no real incentive to sway the general public,” Mr Barnes said.
“Given that the passenger car market is the primary driver for EV sales, it seems like a missed opportunity.”
The total number of new private cars licensed in the first nine months of the year was up slightly, with 109,621 compared to 109,482 in the same period last year. The number of imported used cars increased to 47,554 from 37,591.
The CSO stats show that the combined share of petrol and diesel cars licensed in the first nine months of the year stood at 55pc, the same as last year.
Toyota was the most popular make of new private car licensed in September, at 772. The most popular brand of new electric car licensed was Tesla Model 3, with 205, followed by Volkswagen ID.4 at 94.