Battery electric car registrations up over 40 per cent this year
The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) today released its official 261 new vehicle registration statistics for March, which shows 3,851 new battery electric cars were registered, which was 52.1 per cent higher than the 2,531 registrations in March 2025.
So far this year, 14,004 new electric cars have been registered, representing a 40.5 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2025, when 9,964 electric cars were registered.
However, overall new car registrations for the year to date (the first quarter of 2026), are up just marginally by 0.28 per cent (64,967) on the same period last year (64,784).
The March figures were down 10.4 per cent (15,485) compared to March 2025 (17,291).
In the new car market share by engine type, Hybrid (Petrol Electric) continues to lead as the most popular engine type at 27.36 per cent, followed by Electric 21.56 per cent, Petrol 21.24 per cent, Plug-In Hybrid 14.41 per cent, and Diesel 12.92 per cent.
Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) increased by 13.5 per cent (4,463) compared to March last year (3,931). Year to date, LCVs are up 17.5 per cent (15,654). Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) registrations are up 10.2 per cent (302) in comparison to March 2025 (274). Year to date, HGVs are down 6.5 per cent (971).
Imported Used Cars have seen a 37.7 per cent (7,970) rise in March 2026, when compared to March 2025 (5,787). Year to date imports are up 39.2 per cent (23,646) on 2025 (16,987).
Toyota was Ireland’s best-selling car brand for the first quarter of 2026 for the sixth consecutive year, securing a 13.75 per cent market share.
The Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid was the country’s best-selling car model during the period. Between 1st January and 31st March, Toyota sold 8,936 passenger cars, finishing more than 2,415 units ahead of its nearest competitor.
Top 5 selling new car brands 2026
Toyota; Volkswagen; Hyundai; Skoda; Kia
Top 5 selling new car models 2026
Toyota Yaris Cross; Hyundai Tucson; Kia Sportage; Toyota Corolla; Toyota Corolla Cross
Top 5 selling new electric cars 2026
VW ID.4; Kia EV3; Hyundai Inster; Toyota BZ4X; Hyundai Kona
Top 5 selling new EV brands 2026
Hyundai; VW; Kia; BYD; Tesla
Top selling new car for March
Toyota Corolla
Top selling new EV for March
Tesla Model 3