EVs' market share rose from 15% in 2022 to over 19% in the previous year.

The Volkswagen ID.4, the Tesla Model Y, the Skoda Enyaq, the Hyundai IONIQ 5, and the MG4 were the top five selling new electric vehicles for the year.

SIMI Director General Brian Cooke anticipates continued rise in EV sales this year.

“Key to this will be the ongoing Government support, both in terms of vehicle and taxation incentives and investment in a fit for purpose charging infrastructure,” added the minister.

“The mix in the new car market however, from electric to hybrid to more traditional engine types, highlights the diverse nature of Irish motorists' driving requirements, and reducing the age of the national fleet, as well as moving to zero emission vehicles, will be vital if we want to get close to Ireland’s climate goals,” he stated.

Based on current data, 121,850 new automobiles were registered in total last year, an increase of 16% over 2022 and 4% over 2019.

The Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Yaris Cross, and Volkswagen ID.4 were the top five new vehicle models overall.

Diesel vehicles made up little over 22% of the market, with petrol automobiles accounting for 30% of the total.

The market share of electric cars was 18.7%, hybrid cars was 18.5%, and plug-in hybrid cars was about 8%.

For the eighth consecutive year, grey has been the most popular colour for cars in Ireland, while hatchbacks continue to be the most popular automobile body style.

Reduced incentives and high pricing are causing the Irish EV market's momentum to progressively lose steam, according to Geotab, a supplier of fleet management software and telematics.

“While the Government is on course to reach its target of 175,000 private EVs on Irish roads by 2025, the overall share of the market for zero emission vehicles remains pegged at just under 20%, effectively making it mathematically impossible to hit the 2030 goal of 945,000 EVs,” said David Savage, Geotab Vice President for Ireland and the United Kingdom.

“With the UK Government recently pushing out its ban on the sale of new internal combustion engine (ICE) cars and vans from 2030 to 2035, the ongoing availability of right-hand drive ICE vehicles will further deflate interest in making the switch to electric,” he stated.