Drivers switch to electric and hybrid as car sales increase slightly

The sale of electric and hybrid vehicles almost doubled in the past week, latest figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) reveal. 

Nationally, new car registrations for November were down 12.3% (982) when compared to November 2021 (1,120).

Registrations year to date are marginally up 0.47% (105,039) on the same period last year (104,545) and are 10.13% behind (116,885) that of pre-Covid levels.

Light Commercial vehicles (LCV) are up 14.6% (880) compared to November last year (768) and year to date are down 18.0% (23,320). HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle)*registrations are down 31.2% (130) in comparison to November 2021 (189). Year to date HGV's are down 8.7% (2,431).

Used car imports for November (3,295) have seen a decrease of 25.9% on November 2021 (4,445). Year to date imports are down 26.6% (44,047) on 2021 (59,984).

For the month of November 343 new electric vehicles were registered compared to 190 in November 2021. So far this year 15,591 new electric cars have been registered in comparison to 8,528 on the same period 2021, an increase of 82.8%. 

Electric Vehicle, Plug-in Hybrids and Hybrids continue to increase their market share, with a combined market share now of 41%. Petrol continues to remain dominant with 30.18%, Diesel accounts for 26.78%, Hybrid 19.30, Electric 14.84% and Plug-in Electric Hybrid 6.77%.

Commenting on the new vehicle registrations Tom Cullen, Deputy Director General SIMI said:  "November new car registrations are down 12.3% on the same month last year, while the new car market remains marginally ahead (0.47%) year to date, it is still over 10% behind 2019 (pre-COVID levels).

"Electric car sales continue to grow strongly with over 15,591 electric cars sold this year and for the first time in 2022 Electric Vehicles are the top selling engine type for the month of November. With the forthcoming announcement of the revised Climate Action Plan, it is fundamental that policymakers support their climate ambitions and invest in the electrification project.

"The strong performance of the electric vehicle market is down to the vital support of the SEAI grant scheme and incentives encouraging consumers to make the switch to EVs. Any early removal or reduction in supports will only lead to less demand, increased cost to change, restrained consumer confidence, and place Ireland further down the manufactures list in terms of EV supply availability. The new car market is already experiencing challenges with supply and the rising energy costs.

"Any further constraints could hamper the growth of the EV market. We need the new car market to grow significantly over the next few years if we are to optimise transport emission reductions and help to create a used EV market reaching a wider constituency of motorists. The national charging infrastructure is fundamental to instilling confidence in the Electric Vehicle transition and its development also needs to remain ahead of demand," Mr Cullen said.