Rise in EVs in Louth continues

There has been a 24.5% increase in the number of electric vehicles (EVs) registered in Louth so far this year, compared to the same period last year, according to the latest figures released by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI).

According to the SIMI official 251 new vehicle registration statistics for April, 172 new cars overall were registered in Louth last month. It is a 15.4% increase on the 149 registered in the county in April 2024, and follows on from a 23.9% increase in new car registrations in Louth in March, compared to the same period last year.

So far this year, 1,693 new cars have been registered in Louth, up 6% on the 1,597 registered in the first three months of last year. While petrol cars remain the most popular type of vehicle in Louth so far this year, the number registered has fallen by 13.3% compared to the same period last year, with 516 registered compared to 595 in the first four months of last year.

266 EVs have been registered in Louth so far this year, up 40.7% on the same period last year, with petrol/plug-in electric hybrids seeing an even bigger percentage increase. 183 have been registered in Louth in the first four months of this year, compared to 104 in the same period last year, representing an increase of 76%. Petrol electric hybrids have also increased significantly, with 467 registered, representing a 24.5% increase on the 375 registered up to the end of April last year.

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Nationally, new car registrations for April were up 1.9% (8,731) when compared to April 2024 (8,565). Registrations year to date are up 3.4% (73,505) on the same period last year (71,063).

Imported Used Cars have seen a 0.8% (5,249) rise in April 2025, when compared to April 2024 (5,205). Year to date imports are up 7.5% (22,237) on 2024 (20,693).

In April 1,343 new electric cars were registered, which was 23.7% higher than the 1,086 registrations in April 2024. So far this year, 11,311 new electric cars have been registered, representing a 25.5% increase compared to the same period in 2024 when 9,015 electric cars were registered.

In the new car market share by engine type for 2025, Petrol cars retain the new car market lead at 27.68%, followed by Hybrid (Petrol Electric) at 23.66%, Diesel at 17.36%, Electric at 15.39%, and Plug-in Electric Hybrid at 14.29%.

Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General commented: “April new car registrations saw a marginal rise of 1.9% when compared to the same month last year. Year-to-date registrations increased by 3.4% on last year, with a total of 73,505 new cars registered. New electric vehicle sales have rebounded this year, experiencing a fourth consecutive month of growth.

"EV registrations are 23.7% ahead of April last year, and year to date increased by 25.5%, representing 11,311 new electric cars. EV sales have increased in 25 counties during the first four months of the year and SIMI welcomes Minister O’Brien’s announcement on the Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan. Such initiatives are vital to provide rural drivers with more confidence in EVs.

"The Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) market saw an improvement in April with a 15% increase in sales, a positive result following the decline in sales in the first Quarter of the year. LCVs remain 9% behind for the year to date. Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) registrations are down 14.6% in April and 8% year to date.”