Strong electric car sales in August – SIMI
New car registrations for August were up one per cent (7,615) when compared to August 2024 (7,546), while registrations year to date are up 3.4 per cent (116,099) on the same period last year (112,229), according to the latest figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI).
In August 2,126 new electric cars (battery electric cars) were registered, which was 69.3 per cent higher than the 1,256 registrations in August 2024. So far this year, 20,656 new electric cars have been registered, representing a 37 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024, when 15,122 electric cars were registered.
Imported used cars have seen a 9.9 per cent (5,964) rise in August 2025, when compared to August 2024 (5,426). Year to date imports are up 9.48 per cent (46,662) on 2024 (42,621).
In the new car market share by engine type for 2025, petrol cars continue as the new car market leader at 26.31 per cent, followed by hybrid (petrol electric) at 22.35 per cent, electric at 17.79 per cent, diesel at 17.26 per cent, and plug-in electric hybrid at 14.72 per cent.
2025 total new vehicle stats:
Top selling car brands:
1. Toyota; 2. Volkswagen; 3. Skoda; 4. Hyundai; 5. Kia
Top car models:
1. Hyundai Tucson; 2. Skoda Octavia; 3. Toyota Yaris Cross; 4. Kia Sportage; 5. Toyota RAV4.
Top 5 selling EV brands:
1. Volkswagen; 2. Kia; 3. Hyundai; 4. Tesla; 5. Skoda.
Top 5 selling EVs:
1. VW ID.4; 2. Kia EV3; 3. Tesla Model 3; 4. Kia EV6; 5. Hyundai Inster.
Top 5 selling van brands:
1. Ford; 2. Renault; 3. Volkswagen; 4. Toyota; 5. Citroen.
Top selling car (August):
Skoda Octavia
Top selling EV (August):
BYD Sealion 7
Top selling van (August):
Renault Trafic
Elsewhere, light commercial vehicle (LCV) registrations increased by 56.7% (2,660) compared to August last year (1,697). Year to date LCVs are up 2.8 per cent (27,593).
HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) registrations are up 19.9 per cent (205) compared to August 2024 (171). Year to date, HGVs are down 9.1 per cent (2,233).