Number of new electric cars registered up by almost 30 per cent

THE number of new electric cars registered in Donegal increased by almost 30 per cent last year.

That’s according to the latest report from The Society of the Irish Motor Industry which shows 305 new electric cars were registered in the county between January and December. This compares to 238 electric cars registered over that period in 2022, a 28 per cent jump.

Across the board there were 2,573 new cars registered in Donegal between January and December 2023, up from 2,537 in 2022.

Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General said: “2023 was a year of progress for the Irish Motor Industry, both in terms of new vehicle registrations and electric vehicle sales. New car registrations finished at 121,850 units, up 16 per cent on last year and four per cent ahead of pre-Covid 2019. The growth in electric vehicle sales continued into 2023, with an increase in market share from 15 per cent in 2022 to nearly 19 per cent in 2023.

“This represented a 45 per cent increase in EV sales for the year. We do expect to see some growth in EV sales again in 2024, but 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. 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.”

The commercial vehicle sector both light and heavy vehicles also delivered a solid performance in 2023. Light commercial vehicles finished 25 per cent ahead of last year and Heavy Goods Vehicles saw a 20 per cent jump.

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