Ireland’s New Car Registrations Rise 3% in August as EV Sales Continue to

Ireland’s new car market recorded further growth in August 2026, with new car registrations increasing by 3% compared with August 2025, according to the latest figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI).

The overall market has also continued to perform strongly throughout the year. Year-to-date new car registrations reached 121,979, representing a 5% increase on the 116,068 vehicles registered during the same period in 2025.

Battery Electric Vehicle Sales Increase

Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) continued to gain momentum in the Irish market. A total of 2,265 new electric cars were registered in August, an increase of 7% compared with the 2,115 registered in August 2025. The year-to-date figures show an even stronger increase. 32,079 new electric cars have been registered so far in 2026, representing a 55% increase compared with the 20,642 registered during the same period last year. BEVs currently hold the largest share of Ireland’s new car market by engine type, accounting for 26.3% of registrations. Hybrid petrol-electric vehicles follow with 24.14%, followed by petrol at 20.09%, plug-in hybrids at 14.85% and diesel at 12.56%. The figures indicate a continued shift in consumer demand towards electric and lower-emission vehicles.

Mixed Performance Across Commercial Vehicle Markets

The commercial vehicle market recorded mixed results in August.

Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) registrations decreased by 10%, with 2,382 vehicles registered compared with 2,651 in August 2025. Despite the monthly decline, LCV registrations remain 7% higher year to date, reaching 29,604 compared with the same period last year.

Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) registrations moved in the opposite direction, increasing by 9% in August, with 223 vehicles registered compared with 205 in August 2025. However, HGV registrations remain 1% lower year to date, at 2,205 vehicles.

Used Car Imports Continue to Rise

Imported used cars also recorded significant growth during August. 8,093 used cars were imported, a 36% increase compared with the 5,963 imported in August 2025.

Year-to-date used car imports have increased by 37%, reaching 63,815 compared with 46,661 during the same period in 2025.

Industry Calls for Continued EV Incentives

SIMI Director General Brian Cooke highlighted the continued shift towards battery electric vehicles and called for Government support to maintain the current momentum. He said that Budget 2027 presents an opportunity to build on the growth in BEV sales by extending and retaining key incentives, including the SEAI Grant, Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) relief and the 0% Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) threshold. The latest registration figures demonstrate the continued growth of Ireland’s new car market and the accelerating role of electric vehicles. With BEVs now accounting for more than a quarter of new car registrations, continued investment and supportive policies could play an important role in maintaining this transition. Source: Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI)