Electric car registrations rose by 62% in Louth last year

The number of electric cars registered in Louth last year rose by 62% compared to 2022, according to figures released today by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI).

SIMI today released its official new vehicle registrations statistics for 2023 and the figures show that 2,637 new cars were registered in Louth, up from 2,474 in 2022 and representing a rise of 6.6%.

Toyota was the most popular make of car, with 393 registered in Louth, up from 386 in 2022. It was followed by Volkswagen with 246 units registered - which is actually down 12.5% on the 281 units registered last year in Louth.

Petrol engines remained the most popular type of engine in Louth last year, with 966 petrol cars registered last year, up from 943 in 2022.

Electric cars are growing in popularity in Louth however, with 455 registered last year, up from 281 in 2022 and representing an increase of 62%.

There was a significant fall however in the number of diesel cars registered in Louth last year. 486 diesel cars were registered in Louth in 2023, down from 589 in 2022 and representing a fall of 17.5%.

Nationally, total new car registrations for 2023, finished at 121,850, up 16% on 2022 and up 4% on 2019.    

New Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) registrations in 2023 saw an increase of 25.1% with 29,403 vehicles registered, compared to 23,510 in 2022 and a 16.1% increase on 2019. While New Heavy Commercial Vehicle registrations (HGV) saw an increase of 20.4% (2,655) in comparison to 2022 (2,205) and 19.9% on 2019 (2,214).

Imported Used Cars saw 50,716 registrations in 2023, an increase of 9.09% on 2022 when 46,490 were registered and a decrease of 55.48% on 2019, when 113,926 were registered.

A total of 22,789 new electric cars were registered in 2023, an increase on the 15,678 registrations seen in 2022, representing a rise of 45.4% and on the 3,444 in 2019 (+561.7%).

The market share for 2023 saw petrol account for 30.07%, diesel 22.16%, electric 18.70%, hybrid 18.54% and plug-in hybrid 8.28%. Petrol continues to remain the most popular engine type for 2023, while electric, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid account for 45.5% of the market.  

Automatic transmissions now account for 64.54% of market share, while manual transmissions have declined.

The hatchback continues to remain Ireland’s top selling car body type of 2023. While grey retains the top selling colour title for the eighth year running. 

Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General commented that:  “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% on last year and 4% ahead of pre-COVID 2019.

"The growth in electric vehicle sales continued into 2023, with an increase in market share from 15% in 2022 to nearly 19% in 2023.This represented a 45% 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% ahead of last year and Heavy Goods Vehicles saw a 20% increase on 2022.”