Sales of new electric EV cars have doubled in Laois
Laois new car buyers are choosing electric EV cars in increasing numbers
Twice as many new electric cars have been sold in Laois this year so far.
EV cars are flying out of motor dealer businesses in Laois, with diesel and petrol new car sales falling to the bottom of the pile, according to new statistics from the SIMI.
Whether it is down to the continued uncertainty over rising oil prices, government incentives and longer ranges of EVs, or environmental awareness of the pollution of fossil fuels, more Laois people are turning electric.
The number of new EVs sold in Laois has nearly doubled in the first half of 2026, compared with the same period in 2025.
There have been 473 new electric cars registered in Laois so far this year, up 96% from last year when 241 were sold.
The number of all types of new cars sold in Laois rose by 8% with 1500 sold so far in 2026, compared to 1388 a year ago.
It matches the trend across Ireland, with sales of new EVs so far this year almost double compared to the first half of 2025, up to 9,682 from 4,898.
According to the SIMI, the top five selling new electric vehicle (EV) brands for 2026 are Volkswagen, Kia, Hyundai, Skoda and Tesla.
Across all engine types, the top five selling new car brands for 2026 were Toyota, Volkswagen, Skoda, Hyundai and Kia.
Nationally, for the first time ever, electric and hybrid cars have taken over the biggest market share for new car sales, at 26.12% for full electric, 24.59% for hybrid (petrol electric), followed petrol 20.39%, plug-In hybrid 14.45%, and finally new diesel cars at 12.45%.
New car sales numbers are rising in Ireland, at 29,046 by July this year compared to 26,738 last year.
More people are buying used car imports too this year compared to 2025, up to 55,724 a rise of 37%.
On the business side, new light commercial vehicle sales are up by over 9% so far this year to 27,237.
New heavy goods vehicle total sales are however slightly down by 2.27% at 1,984.
However there is a jump in the number of new Buses/ Coaches sales of 35% to 431 vehicles.
The data is provided by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI)
Brian Cooke, is SIMI Director General.
“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 receivedthe 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.”