February New Car Registrations Electric

01/03/2019

Official statistics released today by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) show that the total new electric car registrations for the month of February have shown a significant increase with 330 registered in comparison to just 72 in the same month last year. Year to date 1,129 have been registered in the first two months of this year, which has almost surpassed the total sales for the whole of 2018 (1,233).

The performance of the rest of the car market tells a different story, with new car registrations for the month of February down 11.1% (15,128) when compared to February 2018 (17,011). Registrations year to date are also down 12.2% (47,425) on the same period last year (54,034).

Light Commercials vehicles are also down 5.6% (2,486) compared to February last year (2,634), and year to date are down 13.4% (8,132). While HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) registrations are up 9.5% (266) in comparison to February 2019 (243), however year to date they are down 3.7% (621).

Imported Used Cars for February (8,861) have seen a very slight decrease of 0.4% on February 2018 (8,900) and year to date are down 0.5% (17,865) on 2018 (17,961)

Mr Richard Bruton Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, said “The record growth in electric vehicles sales in 2019 demonstrates the willingness of Irish consumers to embrace the change to a low carbon future. The Government is playing its part with a wide range of incentives supporting the purchase of electric vehicles and an investment of €10m in a significant expansion of the public charging network. The environmental benefits, longer range and low running costs of modern electric vehicles make them a viable option for all consumers. I would encourage all those purchasing a new car to play their part in making Ireland a climate leader and choose to drive electric.”

Commenting on the overall figures Brian Cooke SIMI Director General Designate said 
With Brexit looming, new vehicle registrations continue to be negatively impacted across nearly all of our Industry. However, the one exception is the sales of Electric Vehicles, which increased by 542% this year compared to last year, and by the end of this quarter we will have sold more new EVS than in the whole of last year. This increase is a result of a concerted effort by all stakeholders; by the Industry in supplying more new EVS with greater travel range; by the Government through the generous taxation and other incentives; and by SEAI with their grant scheme. Ireland’s transition to a zero emitting fleet will take a number of years to happen, but the co-operative approach by the Industry and the State thus far bodes well for the future.” 

Stats in Short

  • New car sales total year to date (2019) 47,425 v (2018) 54,034 -12.2%
  • New Car sales total February (2019) 15,128 v (2018)17,011 -11.1%
  • Light Commercial Vehicles sales year to date (2019) 8,132 v (2018) 9,387 -13.4%
  • Light Commercial Vehicles sales total February (2019) 2,486 v (2018) 2,634 -5.6%
  • Heavy Goods Vehicle total sales year to date (2019) 621 v (2018) 645 -3.7%
  • Heavy Goods Vehicle total sales February (2019) 266 v (2018) 243 +9.5%
  • Used Car Imports total year to date (2019) 17,865 v (2018) 17,961 -0.5%
  • Used Car Imports total February (2019) 8,861 v (2018) 8,900 -0.4%
  • New Electric Vehicles sales total February (2019) 330 v (2018) 72 +358.33%
  • 5 Top Selling Car Brands February 2019 are: 1. Volkswagen 2. Hyundai 3. Toyota 4. Ford 5. Skoda
  • 5 Top car model’s 2019 February: 1. Hyundai Tucson 2. Nissan Qashqai 3. Skoda Octavia 4. Volkswagen Tiguan 5. Ford Focus
  • Top Selling Car February 2019: Hyundai Tucson
  • Table below shows new car registrations by county year to date (January -February 2019)

New Car Registrations by County (January-February 2019)

County

2019 Units

2018 Units

% Change

2019 % Share

2018 % Share

Carlow

548

677

-19.05

1.16

1.25

Cavan

572

630

-9.21

1.21

1.17

Clare

1054

1296

-18.67

2.22

2.4

Cork

6261

7019

-10.8

13.2

12.99

Donegal

1063

1201

-11.49

2.24

2.22

Dublin

17936

19989

-10.27

37.82

36.99

Galway

1913

2155

-11.23

4.03

3.99

Kerry

1022

1263

-19.08

2.15

2.34

Kildare

2009

2409

-16.6

4.24

4.46

Kilkenny

985

1157

-14.87

2.08

2.14

Laois

625

718

-12.95

1.32

1.33

Leitrim

167

225

-25.78

0.35

0.42

Limerick

1790

2075

-13.73

3.77

3.84

Longford

242

304

-20.39

0.51

0.56

Louth

1194

1246

-4.17

2.52

2.31

Mayo

928

971

-4.43

1.96

1.8

Meath

1513

1773

-14.66

3.19

3.28

Monaghan

403

456

-11.62

0.85

0.84

Offaly

566

759

-25.43

1.19

1.4

Roscommon

433

520

-16.73

0.91

0.96

Sligo

477

527

-9.49

1.01

0.98

Tipperary

1387

1621

-14.44

2.92

3

Waterford

1320

1476

-10.57

2.78

2.73

Westmeath

710

798

-11.03

1.5

1.48

Wexford

1212

1452

-16.53

2.56

2.69

Wicklow

1095

1317

-16.86

2.31

2.44

For further information: Teresa Noone, SIMI, 01 676 1690 / 087 792 8844  tnoone@simi.ie