The Society of the Irish Motor Industry – SIMI- released its official 262 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, commenting:
“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.”
Shanna Collins, Government & Infrastructure Director at EY Ireland, shares her perspective on the electric vehicle registrations stats reported.
“The July figures suggest EVs are becoming a much more mainstream choice for Irish motorists. While recent fuel-price volatility may have prompted some consumers to take a closer look at EVs, this is about much more than oil prices alone.
What we’re seeing is the continuation of a trend that has been building for a number of years. For many consumers, EVs are now a more practical and financially viable option than they were a few years ago. Government supports, including SEAI grants for qualifying new battery electric vehicles and the recent pilot scrappage scheme for eligible older petrol and diesel cars, have helped address the upfront cost for some buyers, while consumers are increasingly looking beyond the purchase price and focusing on the overall cost of owning and running a vehicle.
Greater familiarity with EVs, a wider range of models on the market and continued improvements in charging infrastructure are all helping to drive adoption. Lower and more predictable running costs are also becoming an increasingly important consideration for households when making purchasing decisions.
The increase in registrations across every county, including among rural motorists who have traditionally been viewed as more hesitant adopters, points to broader and more sustained market adoption too. That suggests electric vehicles are moving beyond the early-adopter market and becoming a realistic option for a much broader group of motorists.
Looking ahead, maintaining momentum will depend on three key areas: affordability, policy certainty and continued investment in charging infrastructure. Consumers need confidence that the charging network will continue to expand and that the policy environment will remain supportive. If those conditions are in place, the outlook for continued growth in EV adoption in Ireland remains very positive.”
2026 Total New Vehicle Stats
• New Car sales total year to date (2026) 114,228 v (2025) 108,487 +5.2%
• New Car sales total July (2026) 29,046 v (2025) 26,738 +8.63%
• New Light Commercial Vehicle sales year to date (2026) 27,237 v (2025) 24,915 +9.3%
• New Light Commercial Vehicle sales total July (2026) 5,744 v (2025) 6,116 -6.08%
• New Heavy Goods Vehicle total sales year to date (2026) 1,984 v (2025) 2,030 -2.27%
• New Heavy Goods Vehicle total sales July (2026) 433 v (2025) 379 +14.2%
• New Buses/ Coaches sales year to date (2026) 431 v (2025) 320 +35%
• Used Car Imports total year to date (2026) 55,724 v (2025) 40,698 +37%
• Used Car Imports total July (2026) 8,616 v (2025) 6,803 +27%
• New Electric Vehicle sales total year to date (2026) 29,840 v (2025) 18,527 +61%
• New Electric Vehicle sales total July (2026) 9,682 v (2025) 4,898 +98%
• 5 Top Selling New Car Brands 2026 were: 1. TOYOTA, 2. VOLKSWAGEN, 3. SKODA, 4. HYUNDAI, 5. KIA
• 5 Top New Car Models 2026 were: 1. TOYOTA YARIS CROSS, 2. HYUNDAI TUCSON, 3. TOYOTA COROLLA, 4. SKODA OCTAVIA, 5.KIA SPORTAGE
• 5 Top Selling New Electric Vehicles (EVs) Brands 2026: 1. VOLKSWAGEN, 2. KIA, 3. HYUNDAI, 4. SKODA, 5. TESLA
• 5 Top Selling New Electric Vehicles (EVs) Models 2026: 1. VOLKSWAGEN ID.4, 2. TOYOTA BZ4X, 3. SKODA ENYAQ, 4. TESLA MODEL Y, 5. SKODA ELROQ
• Top Selling New Car (July) 2026: SKODA OCTAVIA
• Top Selling New Electric Car (July) 2026: VOLKSWAGEN ID.4
• Market share by engine type 2026: Electric 26.12%, Hybrid (Petrol Electric) 24.59%, Petrol 20.39%, Plug-In Hybrid 14.45%, Diesel 12.45%.
•