Petrol engine no longer king in Louth

Latest figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) show that petrol cars are no longer the most popular type of car in Louth, with both petrol electric hybrids and electric cars (EVs) now the two most popular type of new cars registered in the county.

Figures for July show that 713 new cars were registered in Louth, up almost 5% on the 681 registered in July of last year. So far this year, 2,681 new cars have been registered in Louth, up from 2,518 in the first seven months of 2025.

Of the 2,681 new cars registered in Louth so far this year, petrol electric hybrids were most popular, with 764 registered. It is up from 677 during the same period last year.

EVs were the second most popular, with 732 cars registered, up a massive 62% on the 451 registered during the same period in 2025.

Petrol cars have fallen to third in the list of most popular type cars in Louth, with 596 registered in the first seven months of 2026, down 21% on the 755 registered during the same period in 2025.

Petrol/plug-in electric hybrids are now fourth most popular type of car in Louth, with 301 registered so far this year, up from 278 in the first seven months of last year.

The top five in Louth is rounded out with diesel cars, with their popularity continuing to fall. 244 units have been registered in Louth so far this year, down 28% on the 337 registered during the same period in 2025. It is also down from 462 registered in the first seven months on 2024.

Nationally, new car registrations for July were up 8.63% with 29,046 units registered compared to July 2025 with 26,738 units registered. Registrations year to date are up 5.2% (114,228 units) on the same period last year (108,487 units).

Imported Used Cars have seen a 27% (8,616 units) increase in July 2026, when compared to July 2025 (6,803 units). Year to date imports are up 37% (55,724 units) on 2025 (40,698 units).

In July 9,682 new EVs were registered, which was a 98% increase from the 4,898 registrations in July 2025. So far this year, 29,840 new EVs have been registered, representing a 61% increase compared to the same period in 2025, when 18,527 electric cars were registered.

In the new car market share by engine type, EVs achieved the lead market position for the first time this year with 26.12%, followed by Hybrid (Petrol Electric) 24.59%, Petrol 20.39%, Plug-In Hybrid 14.45%, and Diesel 12.45%.

Commenting on the latest figures, Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General, said : “July new car registrations saw a 9% increase when compared to the same month last year, with 29,046 units registered.

“Year-to-date new car sales are 5% ahead of last year, with a total of 114,228 new cars registered. The highlight of the market is clearly the performance of Battery Electric Vehicle sales, achieving record-breaking results, with 9,682 BEVs registered in July, a 98% increase when compared to July 2025.

“This is the highest monthly BEV sales ever achieved. Battery electric vehicles were not just the most popular engine type for July; they have now overtaken hybrid cars as the most popular for the year to date with 29,840 units registered, a 61% increase on last year, and now account for 26% of Ireland’s new car market.

“This increase in BEV sales would not have been achieved without Government supports. In particular, the Government’s pilot scrappage scheme, introduced in July, along with the existing BEV grant supports, have helped build on market momentum.

“The record increase in EV sales is proof that incentives work, not just in urban areas, but also for rural motorists who received the majority of scrappage grants.

“The increase in BEV sales is evident in every county. The current incentives are fundamental to market growth, and SIMI are calling for their retention and extension in Budget 2027.

“EV adoption remains a critical part of our climate change goals, and any Government incentives today will result in both cost-savings and reductions in emissions in the future.”