Registrations of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) were up 55% in Ireland in October, compared to the same month the previous year, according to new data from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI).
According to SIMI‘s data, overall new car registrations for October were up 15%, to 2,501, compared to the corresponding month a year earlier (2,180). In the year to date, registrations are up 6% to 130,754, compared to 123,855 over the same period in 2025.
A total of 1,092 new BEVs were registered in October, compared with 706 in the same month in 2025, the data showed. Year-to-date BEV registrations reached 36,270, up 57% from 23,082.
BEVs also account for the largest powertrain category in Ireland, holding 27.74% of the new car market in the year to date. Petrol-electric hybrids represent 23.54% of the market, followed by petrol at 19.43%, plug-in hybrids at 14.99% and diesel at 12.31%.
Surge in EV sales
“October’s new car market saw a 15% increase in new car registrations when compared to the same month last year, with 2,501 units registered,” commented Emma Mitchell, operations director, SIMI.
“Demand for new battery electric vehicles remained strong in October, helped by government support and market offerings. […] Growth is being seen across the country, including strong increases in both urban and rural areas, with 61% of new electric cars registered outside Dublin this year. BEVs are now the most popular powertrain for Irish new car buyers so far this year.”
Elsewhere, registrations of new light commercial vehicles were up 2% in October, and up 7% in the year to date. Heavy goods vehicle registrations increased by 45% in October, however the year-to-date figure was 2% higher at 2,586. Used car imports rose 15% for the month, and 32% over the course of the year.
Top car brands
Toyota is the best-selling new car brand in Ireland in 2026 to date, followed by Volkswagen, Skoda, Hyundai and Kia, SIMI’s data showed.
The leading new car models were the Toyota Yaris Cross, Hyundai Tucson, Skoda Octavia, Kia Sportage and Skoda Kodiaq, while the top selling EV models included the Volkswagen ID.4 (pictured) – which was also the best-selling new car in October overall – Tesla Model Y, Skoda Enyaq, Tesla Model 3 and Skoda Elroq. Read more here.
