Number of new EVs registered in Louth up by two thirds on last year

The number of new electric vehicles (EVs) registered in Louth so far this year has outstripped the number registered during the same period last year by two thirds, with a huge rise also seen in the number of petrol/plug-in electric hybrids and petrol electric (hybrid) cars being registered in the county, according to the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) official 252 new vehicle registration statistics for October. 

Overall in Louth so far this year, 2,873 new cars have been registered, up from 2,686 during the same period last year, and representing a 7% rise. In October 2025, 45 new cars were registered, up from 42 in October 2024.

Of the 2,873 new cars registered so far this year, the most popular were petrol cars with 826 registered. That is down by 12.1% however, on the same period last year.

This was followed by petrol electric (hybrid) cars, with 759 registered so far this year, up 19.2% on the 637 registered up to the end of October 2024.

544 new EVs were registered in Louth up to the end of October. This is up a massive 66.4% on the 327 EVs registered during the same period last year.

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The fourth most popular in Louth so far this year were diesel cars, with 390 registered. Diesel cars continue to fall in popularity however, with the number registered down by 29.2% on the 551 registered in Louth up to the end of October 2024.

The fifth most popular type car in Louth in the first ten months of this year were petrol/plug-in electric hybrids. They are quickly growing in popularity however, with 325 registered, up 70.2% on the 191 registered in the first ten months of last year.

The least popular type of cars in Louth this year have been diesel electric hybrids, with 24 registered, down 27.3% on the 33 registered up to the end of October 2024; and diesel/plug-in electric hybrids, with just five registered, down from seven during the same period last year.

Nationally, new car registrations for October were down 9.3% (2,192) when compared to October 2024 (2,417). Registrations for the year to date are up 3.4% (123,858) on the same period last year (119,772).

Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) increased by 41.8% (1,694) compared to October last year (1,195). For the year to date, LCVs are up 4.7% (31,447). Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) registrations are up 7.8% (138) compared to October 2024 (128). Year to date, HGVs are down 7.6% (2,541).

Imported Used Cars have seen a 19% (6,791) rise in October 2025, when compared to October 2024 (5,709). Year to date imports are up 13.1% (60,452) on 2024 (53,446).

The top five new car brands sold so far in 2025 were: 1. Toyota, 2. Volkswagen, 3. Skoda, 4. Hyundai, 5. Kia, with the top five new car models being: 1. Hyundai Tucson, 2. Skoda Octavia, 3. Kia Sportage, 4. Toyota Yaris Cross, 5. Toyota Rav 4.

In October 709 new electric cars (battery electric cars) were registered, which was 34.3% higher than the 528 registrations in October 2024. So far this year, 23,085 new electric cars have been registered, representing a 38.6% increase compared to the same period in 2024, when 16,653 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 25.23%, followed by Hybrid (Petrol Electric) at 22.56%, Electric at 18.64%, Diesel at 17.13%, and Plug-in Electric Hybrid at 14.83%.

Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General, commented: “While October new car registrations declined by 9% when compared to the same month last year, year-to-date new car sales remain over 3% ahead, with a total of 123,858 new cars registered.

“October's new battery electric car registrations indicate growth in every county, with 709 units registered, an increase of 34% when compared to October 2024, marking the tenth consecutive month of growth in EV sales. Year-to-date EV registrations have now reached 23,085 units, a 39% increase on the same period last year.

"In the commercial vehicle sector, both light and heavy commercial vehicles experienced growth in October, with LCV registrations showing a 42% increase for the month and are 5% up year-to-date. “HGV registrations showed an 8% increase in October, but overall are 8% down on last year.”