New data from the Central Statistics Office shows a sharp rise in electric vehicle (EV) registrations in April 2026, alongside a continued decline in traditional petrol and diesel car sales.
According to the latest figures, 3,089 new private electric cars were licensed for the first time in April, marking a 73% increase compared with 1,783 recorded in the same month last year. The strong monthly performance reflects a broader shift in Ireland’s car market towards electrification.
EVs now account for 23% of all new private cars licensed between January and April 2026, up from 16% during the same period in 2025. Over the first four months of the year, 15,031 new electric vehicles were registered, representing a 43% year-on-year increase.
At the same time, hybrid vehicle registrations declined. The CSO reported that 2,796 hybrid cars were licensed in April 2026, down 14% from 3,233 a year earlier, suggesting that some buyers are moving directly towards fully electric models rather than hybrid alternatives.
Overall, new private car registrations fell by 8% in April compared with the previous year, dropping to 11,930 from 13,033. However, the market for imported used vehicles moved in the opposite direction, with 7,732 used private cars licensed in April, a 40% increase compared with 5,537 in April 2025.
In contrast to the growth in EVs, petrol and diesel vehicles continued to lose ground. Combined, they accounted for 34% of new private cars licensed from January to April 2026, down from 44% in the same period last year. New petrol car registrations fell 23% to 13,469, while diesel cars dropped 24% to 8,295.
Among manufacturers, Toyota led the market in April with 1,545 new private cars licensed, followed by Volkswagen at 1,408, Skoda at 1,330, Kia at 928, and Hyundai at 859. Together, these five brands accounted for just over half of all new private car registrations for the month.
In the electric segment, the most popular model was the Toyota C-HR with 214 registrations, followed by the Skoda Enyaq with 165 and the Volkswagen ID.4 with 130.
Industry analysts say the figures reflect a continued transition in consumer preferences, driven by environmental concerns, government incentives, and expanding charging infrastructure. While overall car sales show some fluctuation, the direction of the market increasingly points toward electric mobility as the dominant trend in new vehicle registrations.
