Mayo contributes to record-breaking month of EV sales

New car registrations in Mayo are up 8.75% so far this year, the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) has revealed.

According to the official 262 new vehicle registration statistics, 2,050 new cars have been registered in Mayo to the end of July. That compares to 1,885 over the same period last year.

Nationally, registrations year to date are up 5.2% (114,228) compared to the first seven months of last year (108,487).

During July, new car registrations were up 8.63% (29,046) compared to July 2025 (26,738).

Light commercial vehicle (LCV) registrations 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, however, HGVs are down 2.2% (1,984).

Imported used cars experienced 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).

Last month, 9,682 new battery electric 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 powertrain type, battery electric cars achieved the lead market position for the first time this year at 26.12%, followed by hybrid (petrol/electric) at 24.59%, petrol at 20.39%, plug-in hybrid at 14.45%, and diesel 12.45%.

Brian Cooke, SIMI director general, commented: “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.”

In Mayo, 412 BEVs have been registered so far this year compared to 194 over the same period last year, representing a 112.37% increase.

“The increase in BEV sales is evident in every county,” Mr. Cooke continued. “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.”

The five top selling new car brands so far in 2026 are: Toyota, Volkswagen, Skoda, Hyundai and Kia. The five top selling new car models are: Toyota Yaris Cross, Hyundai Tucson, Toyota Corolla, Skoda Octavia, Kia Sportage.