Record-breaking sales of electric cars in July 2026

The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) has released its official new vehicle registration statistics for July.

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

Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) decreased by 6% (5,744) compared to July last year (6,116). Year to date, LCVs are up 9.3% (27,237). Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) registrations experienced an increase of 14.2% (433) in comparison to July 2025 (379). Year to date, HGVs are down 2.2% (1,984).

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

In July 9,682 new electric cars (battery electric cars) were registered, which was a 98% increase from the 4,898 registrations in July 2025. So far this year, 29,840 new electric cars 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, Battery Electric cars 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%.

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.”