Number of EVs registered in Louth this year double that of 2024

The number of electric vehicles (EVs) registered in Louth so far this year is over double the number registered in the county during same period in 2024, the latest figures from  the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) have revealed.

SIMI has released its official 252 new vehicle registration statistics for July, and the figures show that 451 EVs were registered in Louth up to the end of July, a 58.8% increase on the 284 registered in the same period last year.

The month of July saw 681 new cars registered in Louth, an increase of 6.9% on July 2024. 2,518 cars have been registered in the county so far this year, a 6.1% increase on the 2,373 registered in the first seven months of 2024.

While petrol cars remain the most popular type car in Louth at the moment, their popularity is falling, with the 756 cars registered in Louth this year, 12.1% down on the 860 registered in the county during the same period last year.

Along with the huge rise in EVs in Louth, the popularity of petrol electric (hybrid) cars is also increasing, with 676 registered in Louth so far this year, up 19.4% on last year. Petrol/plug-in electric hybrids have seen an even bigger increase, with 278 registered, up from 164 during the same period last year, representing an increase of 69.5%.

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Nationally, new car registrations for July were up 4.3% (26,787) when compared to July 2024 (25,676). Registrations for the year to date are up 3.7% (108,531) on the same period last year (104,655). 

Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) increased by 22.8% (6,133) compared to July last year (4,995). Year to date LCVs are down 0.9% (24,945). Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) registrations are down 18.8% (380) compared to July 2024 (468). Year to date, HGVs are down 11.3% (2,028).

Imported Used Cars have seen a 16.8% (6,803) rise in July 2025, when compared to July 2024 (5,825). Year to date imports are up 9.4% (40,698) on 2024 (37,195).

In July 4,913 new electric cars (battery electric cars) were registered, which was 57% higher than the 3,129 registrations in July 2024. So far this year, 18,542 new electric cars have been registered, representing a 33.7% increase compared to the same period in 2024, when 13,866 electric cars were registered.

In the new car market share by engine type for 2025, Petrol cars continue as the new car market leader at 26.90%, followed by Hybrid (Petrol Electric) at 22.72%, Diesel at 17.13%, Electric at 17.08%, and Plug-in Electric Hybrid at 14.71%.

Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General, commented:“New car registrations in July saw a 4% increase on the same month last year, with 26,787 units registered. Year to date sales are also close to 4% ahead of last year, with a total of 108,531 new cars registered.

"New battery-electric car registrations increased by 57% when compared to July 2024, with 4,913 units sold, while year to date they have reached 18,542, a 34% increase on the same period last year, and are now back to 2023 levels.

"Notably, this means that we have surpassed the 175,000 EV target (BEV & PHEV combined) for 2025 contained in the Government’s Climate Action Plan. This important landmark on the road to electrification could not have been achieved without the significant levels of Government incentives.

"If we want to continue this momentum, these supports must be maintained and extended well beyond the end of this year. Light Commercial Vehicle sales, which had been disappointing during Q1, have bounced back since then, with the July LCV market up 23% on last year, and are now less than 1% behind 2024 year to date.

"Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) registrations are down 19% in July and down 11% year to date. The mixed results and market fluctuations in the commercial sector reflect the current economic and political uncertainty.”