EV sales in Louth continue to rise while petrol car sales fall

There has been a 61% increase in the number of electric vehicles (EVs) registered in Louth so far this year, compared to the same period last year, along with a 12.6% fall in the number of petrol cars registered in the same period, according to the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) official 252 new vehicle registration statistics for August, released this week.

496 EVs have been registered in Louth so far this year, up from 308 during the same period last year. There has also been a 72.9% increase in the number of Petrol/Plug-In Electric Hybrids registered, with 306 registered so far in 2025, compared with 177 during the same period in 2024.

The number of Petrol Electric (Hybrid) cars registered has also increased in Louth, with 717 registered so far this year, compared to 600 last year, representing a 19.5% increase.

795 petrol cars were registered in Louth during the first eight months of this year. It is down from 910 during the same period in 2024. The number of diesel cars registered has also fallen significantly, with 367 registered so far this year, down 29.6% on the 521 registered during the same period last year.

Overall in Louth, 2,708 cars have been registered in Louth in the first eight months of 2025, up from 2,554 during the same period last year.

Nationally, new car registrations for August were up 1% (7,615) when compared to August 2024 (7,546). Registrations year to date are up 3.4% (116,099) on the same period last year (112,229).

Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) increased by 56.7% (2,660) compared to August last year (1,697). Year to date LCVs are up 2.8% (27,593). Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) registrations are up 19.9% (205) compared to August 2024 (171). Year to date, HGVs are down 9.1% (2,233).

Imported Used Cars have seen a 9.9% (5,964) rise in August 2025, when compared to August 2024 (5,426). Year to date imports are up 9.48% (46,662) on 2024 (42,621).

In August 2,126 new electric cars (battery electric cars) were registered, which was 69.3% higher than the 1,256 registrations in August 2024. So far this year, 20,656 new electric cars have been registered, representing a 37% increase compared to the same period in 2024, when 15,122 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 26.31%, followed by Hybrid (Petrol Electric) at 22.35%, Electric at 17.79%, Diesel at 17.26%, and Plug-in Electric Hybrid at 14.72%.

Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General, commented: “August new car registrations were 1% ahead of the same month last year, with 7,615 units registered. Year-to-date new car sales are just over 3% ahead of last year, with a total of 116,099 new cars registered.

“New battery-electric car registrations increased by 69% when compared to August 2024, with 2,126 units sold, while year-to-date they have reached 20,656, a 37% increase on the same period last year.

“This means electric car sales have now recovered to 2023 levels. This recovery in EV sales is one that we must build upon and would not have been possible without Government incentives.

“With Budget 2026 fast approaching, the Government must recommit to the EV project, extend the current incentives (the SEAI Grant, Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) relief, and 0% Benefit-In-Kind (BIK) threshold), and consider additional targeted measures which focus on the business sector or the second-hand EV market.

“In addition, investment in the high-powered public charging infrastructure is vital. The Battery Electric Vehicle market is still developing, and any diminution of support will negatively impact widespread EV adoption, which is such a critical part of achieving our climate change goals. Now is the time to invest in the EV project.”