Car sales on the rise as drivers opt for electric over diesel

The number of new cars licensed in August 2023 increased by 2,386 vehicles - up 27% - when compared with August 2022, with a significant swing towards electric cars.

Latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that in the first eight months of 2023, 19% of all new cars licensed for the first time were electric compared with 13% in the same period in 2022.

Slightly over one-fifth (22%) of new private cars licensed in the first eight months of 2023 were diesel compared with over a quarter (27%) in the same period in 2022.

The number of used cars licensed in the first eight months of 2023 increased by 5% compared with the same period in 2022 (33,359 versus 31,762).

There were 10,739 used (imported) diesel private cars licensed in the first eight months of 2023, compared with 11,396 in first eight months of 2022, a fall of 6%.

Volkswagen (1,543) was the most popular make of new private cars licensed in August 2023.

Commenting on the data, Dr Nele van der Wielen, Statistician in the Transport Section of the CSO, said: “Today’s figures from the CSO show the continued growth in the number of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles licensed in Ireland. The number of new electric cars licensed has increased by two-thirds (64%) from 11,618 in the first eight months of 2022 to 19,021 in the first eight months of 2023.

"In the period January to August 2023, 34,445 new cars licensed were petrol cars compared with 25,442 in the same period in 2022, an increase of 35%. At the same time, new diesel cars licensed have decreased by 4% in the same period," Mr van der Wielen said.