New Car Registrations: +3% in August 2026, Battery Electric +7%

 Budget 2027 Now is the time to invest in incentives to drive change 

The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) released its official new vehicle registration statistics for August. New car registrations for August were up 3% (7,811) compared to August 2025 (7,581). Registrations year to date are up 5% (121,979) on the same period last year (116,068).

Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) decreased by 10% (2,382) compared to August last year (2,651). Year to date, LCVs are up 7% (29,604). Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) registrations experienced an increase of 9% (223) in comparison to August 2025 (205). Year to date, HGVs are down 1% (2,205).

Imported Used Cars have seen a 36% (8,093) increase in August 2026, when compared to August 2025 (5,963). Year to date imports are up 37% (63,815) on 2025 (46,661).

In August, 2,265 new electric cars (battery electric cars) were registered, which was a 7% increase from the 2,115 registrations in August 2025. So far this year, 32,079 new electric cars have been registered, representing a 55% increase compared to the same period in 2025, when 20,642 electric cars were registered.

In the new car market share by engine type, Battery Electric cars lead market position with 26.3%, followed by Hybrid (Petrol Electric) 24.14%, Petrol 20.09%, Plug-In Hybrid 14.85%, and Diesel 12.56%. 

Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General, commented: 
“August new car registrations saw a 3% increase when compared to the same month last year, with 7,811 units registered. Year-to-date new car sales are 5% ahead of last year, with a total of 121,979 new cars registered. New battery electric car registrations increased by 7% when compared to August 2025, with 2,265 units sold, while year-to-date BEVs have reached 32,079 units, a 55% increase on the same period last year. The market shift towards battery electric vehicles is clearly evident, and it is crucial that the Government supports this trend with incentives that build on this momentum in what is still a developing market. Budget 2027 provides the Government with the opportunity to build on the success in BEV sales by extending and retaining the current incentives (the SEAI Grant, Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) relief, and 0% Benefit-In-Kind (BIK) threshold) that are vital in sustaining consumer confidence. This would enable more households and businesses to make the switch, while also supporting our climate change goals. Additional targeted measures like the scrappage scheme, investment in high-powered public charging infrastructure and a focus on the business sectors can also help increase our national fleet and our second-hand BEV market. Now is the time to invest in incentives to drive change.”