2025 saw massive rise in EV registrations in Louth

The number of new electric vehicles (EVs) registered in Louth last year rose 63% on the previous year, with petrol electric hybrids and petrol/plug-in electric hybrids also seeing a huge rise in popularity, according to the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) official new vehicle registrations statistics for 2025. 

2,901 new cars in total were registered in Louth last year, up 7% on the 2,710 registered in the county in 2024. While petrol cars were the most popular type of new car registered in Louth in 2025, their popularity is falling, with 828 cars registered, down 12.1% on 2024. Their market share last year, at 28.5%, was down also on the 34.8% they commanded in 2024.

Petrol electric hybrids were the second most popular type of new car registered in Louth last year, with 769 units registered, up 19.4% on the 644 registered in 2024. 

EVs were the third most popular type car last year in Louth, with 556 units registered, up a whopping 63.1% on the 341 registered in 2024.

Read also: Louth Motors: Can the stylish Kia EV4 out-muscle the Tesla Model 3?

While diesel cars were the fourth most popular type of car in Louth last year, with 391 units registered, their popularity has fallen significantly, with the number registered in 2025 down 29% on the 551 registered in 2024. Their market share also fell significantly, from 20.33% in 2024, to 13.48 last year.

Petrol/plug-in electric hybrids rounded out the top five most popular cars in Louth in 2025, with 327 units registered last year, up 70.3% on the 192 registered in 2024 in the county.

Nationally, total new car registrations for 2025 reached 124,954, representing a 3% increase when compared to 2024 when 121,316 units were registered. 23,601 new electric cars were registered in 2025, an increase of 35.1% from the 17,460 registrations seen in 2024. 

Market share for 2025 sees petrol accounting for 25.11%, hybrid 22.48%, electric 18.89%, diesel 17.09%, and plug-in hybrid 14.82%. Petrol remains the most popular engine type of choice for 2025, despite a decline in market share. Electric, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid vehicles have gained momentum, accounting for over 56% of the market.

Automatic transmissions account for 75.25% of the market share in 2025, while manual transmissions have declined to 24.73%. The hatchback continues to remain Ireland’s top-selling car body type of 2025. Grey has retained the top-selling colour title for the tenth year running.

Commenting on the figures, Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General, said: “The new car market in 2025 finished in line with projections, as new car registrations reached 124,954 units, an increase of 3% on 2024. Light Commercial Vehicles sales were 7% ahead of last year, while HGV registrations were down 5% on 2024.

"Battery-electric cars reached 23,601 units, an increase of 35% on 2024, the highest level of sales annually, surpassing the previous record year of 2023, with an increase in registrations in every county. This, along with the increase in plug-in hybrid registrations, meant that Ireland comfortably surpassed the 2025 Climate Action Plan targets.

"Hybrid-electric vehicles also continued to gain momentum in 2025, while traditional fuels (petrol and diesel) have seen a decline in their market share.

"The 261 sales period has now commenced, and the Irish Motor Industry is optimistic for the year ahead. Retailers and manufacturers have a variety of offers and different models available for both new and used cars to suit all buyers, making it a good time to shop around.”