New Car Registrations in Ireland Climb to 124,954 in 2025

New car registrations in Ireland reached a total of 124,954 in 2025, marking a 3% increase from the previous year. Among these, registrations of electric vehicles (EVs) surged by 35%, with 23,601 new EVs hitting the roads, according to data from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI).

The SIMI’s director general, Brian Cooke, expressed satisfaction with the market’s performance, stating, “The new car market in 2025 finished in line with projections.” He noted that the rise in battery-electric vehicles exceeded the previous record set in 2023, with growth observed in every county across Ireland. This positive trend, combined with an increase in plug-in hybrid registrations, ensured that Ireland comfortably met its targets outlined in the 2025 Climate Action Plan.

Regional Highlights and Market Dynamics

In Cork, the surge in new EV registrations was particularly notable, rising by 41% to a total of 2,310 vehicles. The capital, Dublin, saw 11,151 EVs registered, reflecting a 23% increase. Other regions also reported significant numbers: Kerry had 420 EV registrations, Clare recorded 390, Limerick saw 645, Tipperary registered 451, and Waterford had 478.

Despite the rise in electric and hybrid vehicles, petrol cars remained the dominant choice, accounting for 25.11% of the market. Nevertheless, electric (18.89%), hybrid (22.48%), and plug-in hybrid (14.82%) vehicles collectively represented over 56% of the total market share, while diesel vehicles held at 17.09%. The hatchback emerged as the most popular car body type for the year, and grey continued to be the best-selling color for the tenth consecutive year.

Trends in Vehicle Types and Future Outlook

The shift in consumer preferences is also reflected in transmission choices, with automatic vehicles comprising 75.25% of the market, while manual vehicles declined to 24.73%. Additionally, the market saw a significant increase in the registration of imported used cars, which rose by 16.6% to 71,813 units compared to 61,583 in 2024. Light commercial vehicle sales experienced a year-on-year increase of 7%, while heavy goods vehicle (HGV) registrations dropped by 5%.

Looking ahead, Mr. Cooke expressed optimism for the automotive industry in 2026, stating, “The 261 sales period has now commenced, and the Irish Motor Industry is optimistic for the year ahead.”

The top-selling brands in 2025 included Toyota, Volkswagen, Skoda, Hyundai, and Kia. The most popular new car models were the Hyundai Tucson, Skoda Octavia, Kia Sportage, Toyota Yaris Cross, and Toyota RAV. In the EV segment, Volkswagen led sales, followed by Kia, Tesla, Hyundai, and Skoda. The top-selling electric models included the Volkswagen ID, Tesla Model 3, Kia EV3, Tesla Model Y, and Hyundai Inster.

The increase in both new and electric vehicle registrations reflects a growing commitment to sustainable transport solutions in Ireland, setting a promising tone for the future of the automotive industry in the region.