The number of new electric cars licensed in the State has risen again as more drivers make the switch to greener motoring.
Central Statstics Office figures show the number of new electric cars licensed increased by 7 per cent to 4,896 in the first two months of 2024.
The share of electric cars in the total number of new cars licensed has grown from 1 per cent in 2018 to 19 per cent in 2023.
Despite the increase in sales, the overall take-up of EVs (electric vehicles) in the Republic is still modest by international standards. Experts link this to cost, with basic EV starting prices at over €30,000, and range anxiety.
Stealth sackings: why do employers fire staff for minor misdemeanours?
How much of a threat is Donald Trump to the Irish economy?
MenoPal app offers proactive support to women going through menopause
Ezviz RE4 Plus review: Efficient budget robot cleaner but can suffer from wanderlust under the wrong conditions
As part of its Climate Action Plan, the Government wants to have 800,000 EVs on Irish roads by 2030.
According to the CSO, 14 per cent of all new cars licensed for the first time this year were electric, compared with 15 per cent in the same period in 2023, while petrol cars accounted for 29 per cent.
While the take-up of EVs is increasing, the share of diesel cars is falling. In 2018, 54 per cent of all new cars licensed were diesel cars compared with 22 per cent in 2023.
Slightly over one-fifth of new private cars licensed in the first two months were diesel which was the same as that recorded in the same period in 2023.
Data also shows that Toyota was the most popular make of new private car licensed in February followed by Skoda, Hyundai, Volkswagen, and Kia. Together, these five makes represented 51 per cent of all new private cars licensed in February..
The most popular brand of new electric car licensed in February was the Tesla Model 3 followed by Volkswagen ID. 4, BYD Seal, and MG4.
- Sign up for Business push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
- Find The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date
- Our Inside Business podcast is published weekly – Find the latest episode here
