Ireland registered 124,954 new passenger cars in 2025 (SIMI) according to SIMI, broadly flat versus the 121,000 of 2024 and compared to 125,557 in 2018; the all-time peak was ~187,000 cars in 2008 (SIMI historical). The market remains structurally smaller and disproportionately concentrated in the January plate-change month.
EV Share Crosses 17%
Pure battery electric vehicles took approximately 17.3% of all 2025 Irish new car registrations, up from 14.4% in 2024. SEAI grants, VRT relief, and corporate fleet electrification continued to drive growth. The MG4, Hyundai Kona Electric, Tesla Model Y, and VW ID.4 led the EV charts.
Toyota Holds #1, VW #2
Toyota took roughly 14.5% of the market with hybrid models leading. VW (11.1%) and Skoda (10%) held the next two spots. Hyundai and Kia continued to gain ground.
The January Effect
January 2025 took approximately 26% of full-year sales, over 31,000 units in a single month. This is the most concentrated plate-change effect in Europe and continues to define the rhythm of Irish car retail.
Diesel Below 22%
Diesel sales fell to roughly 21.5% in 2025, the lowest share since the 1990s. Diesel was 70%+ of Irish new car sales as recently as 2016, a 50-point collapse in 9 years.
See the full Ireland fuel mix and county breakdown on the Ireland dashboard.