With the new 242 registrations beginning today, figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) reveal that petrol engines remain the most popular choice for new car buyers in the first half of 2024, accounting for 33 percent of sales. Diesel engines make up 22.9 percent, petrol-electric hybrids just over 20 percent, electric cars 13.6 percent, and plug-in hybrids 8.8 percent of new car sales.

Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General, stated that the decline in new electric vehicle (EV) sales “continues to highlight the need for Government to support the EV transition, with ways to incentivize the market for both private and company car buyers.” He emphasized that “extending consumer incentives and Benefit-in-Kind support, along with investment in charging infrastructure, will build consumer and business confidence and encourage uptake.”

Retailers are optimistic as the 242-registration plate sales period begins. They believe that new models and attractive offers will help boost sales activity in July, the second-busiest month for new car sales.

Toyota is the best-selling new car brand with 11,673 registrations, followed by Volkswagen with 8,463, Skoda with 8,076, Hyundai with 7,111, and Kia with 5,617. The best-selling model is the Hyundai Tucson with 3,390 registrations, ahead of the Skoda Octavia with 3,140.

The top-selling EV is the Volkswagen ID.4 with 862 registrations, followed by the Tesla Model Y with 823, and Tesla’s Model 3 with 777. Although there has been a significant 68 percent increase in EV registrations in the motor industry, reaching 1,841, all other sales markets have experienced a decline. The hire-drive market, in particular, recorded only five EV registrations this year, compared to 104 this time last year, despite an overall increase in hire-drive registrations of 23.4 percent.

In the commercial vehicle market, new van registrations increased by 17.8 percent from last year, reaching 20,229, while heavy goods vehicle (HGV) sales rose 17.9 percent to 1,826. Electric van sales increased by 6 percent from last year, with 466 registrations this year, representing only 2.3 percent of the market.