Electric vehicle sales reach record high in July - SIMI

In July, a record number of 9,682 electric vehicles (EVs) were registered in Ireland, according to the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI). This marked the highest monthly total ever recorded. The July figures represented nearly double the number of EV registrations from the same month last year.

Throughout the first seven months of 2026, a total of 29,840 new electric cars were registered, marking a 61% increase compared to the same period in 2025. This surge in EV registrations has led EVs to surpass all other engine types in terms of registrations for the first time this year, with a 26.12% market share between January and July, according to SIMI figures.

The Director General of SIMI, Brian Cooke, highlighted that the record-breaking EV sales were not solely due to market demand but were significantly bolstered by government support measures. He specifically mentioned the pilot scrappage scheme introduced in July and the existing BEV grant supports as key factors contributing to the market momentum.

Cooke emphasized that the increase in EV sales demonstrates the effectiveness of incentives, benefiting not just urban but also rural motorists who primarily received the majority of scrappage grants. The growth in BEV sales was evident in every county across Ireland.

SIMI calls for the retention and extension of these current incentives in the 2027 Budget, asserting that EV adoption remains crucial for achieving climate change goals. According to Cooke, any government incentives will result in both cost savings and reductions in emissions in the future.

Overall, in July 2026, there were 29,046 new car registrations, an 8.63% increase compared to the same month in 2025. To date, registrations for the year are 5.2% higher than the same period in 2025, totaling 114,228. SIMI's figures also show a sustained increase in used car imports into Ireland, with 8,616 used imports registered in July, a 27% rise from July 2025. For the first seven months of 2026, used import registrations reached 55,724, a 37% increase compared to the same period last year.