Electric Vehicles may be the future, but the latest figures show Rebels just aren’t buying it as EV sales numbers took a big hit in 2024.
Of the 13,680 new cars registered in Cork last year, just 1,630 were EVs – roughly 12% of the total. This figure is also down 30% from 2023, during which 2,327 EVs were sold in the county.
Nationwide, Electric Vehicle Sales dropped by almost a quarter when compared to 2023, with no county reporting an increase in numbers sold. Meanwhile, total vehicle sales in Ireland dropped by only 1%, showing that petrol and diesel cars are still the preference for anyone looking for a new set of wheels.
Electric and hybrid models currently hold over 45% of the market share between them, though petrol remains the most popular type with 30%.
While analysts predict EV sales will surge again in 2025, the decline in 2024 reflects a growing wariness among the public. One of the biggest issues brought up by motorists is “range anxiety” – the worry that an electric vehicle will run out of power before you can reach another charge point, as EV charging stations aren’t yet widespread in Ireland.
Director General of SIMI Brian Cooke broke down the figures, saying that they painted an overall positive picture of the future leading into 2025. He said: “The new car market in 2024 was in line with the previous year, with new car registrations finishing at 121,195 units, slightly behind 2023 (122,400 units).
“Commercial Vehicles Sales, underlining the growth in employment and activity across the Irish economy, were more positive with LCV registrations finishing 7% ahead of last year and HGVs up 8% on 2023. The key feature of the 2024 new car market was the decline in Electric Vehicle sales, a reduction of 24% compared to 2023. There has however been some tentative signs of a turnaround in EV sales towards the end of 2024, and the Industry is anticipating an increase in EV sales in 2025.
“The start of the new registration period, 251, this week, is an optimistic time for the Irish Motor Industry. With the variety of incentives and offers from retailers and manufacturers it is a good time for customers to shop for a new or used car.”
While EV sales may be stuttering in County Cork, a recent study showed that Cork City Council has been one of the best groups in Ireland for cutting out petrol and diesel, having replaced 28% of their fleet with EVs