Carlow car sale figures jump as people opt for electric and hybrid models

The sale of electric cars continues to surge amid a general sale increase of over 40% last month when compared with May of 2021. 

Electric car sales were up over 50% on the same time last year. 

Sales of cars in Carlow reached 785 for the month of May, up from 732 for the same period in 2022. 

So far this year, 123 electric vehicles were registered in the county, up from 72 in 2022, representing a 70.83% increase. 

The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) has released their official 231 new vehicle registrations statistics for May. 
New car registrations for the month of May were up 42.7% (7,557) when compared to May 2022 (5,295). Registrations year to date are up 18.2% (74,542) on the same period last year (63,057). 

Light Commercial vehicles (LCV) are up 76.2% (2,528) compared to May last year (1,435) and year to date are up 31.1% (16,255). HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) registrations are also showing an increase of 11.9% (217) in comparison to May 2022 (194). Year to date HGV's are up 35.6% (1,424). 

Imported Used Cars saw a 14.9% (4,486) increase in May 2023, when compared to May 2022 (3,905). Year to date imports are up 5.2% (20,797) on 2022 (19,766). 

For the month of May 1,725 new electric vehicles were registered compared to 743 in May 2022 (+132.2). So far this year 12,875 (+55.9%) new electric cars have been registered in comparison to 8,258 on the same period in 2022.  

Electric Vehicles, Plug-in Hybrids and Hybrids continue to increase their market share, with a combined market share (year to date) now of 42.74%. Petrol remains dominant at 32.36%, with Diesel accounting for 22.17%, Hybrid 17.51%, Electric 17.27% and Plug-in Electric Hybrid 7.96%.  

Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General commenting: "New car sales increased again in May when compared to the same month last year, and now new cars sales are edging closer to Pre-COVID levels. Some easing of supply difficulties has resulted in improvement in delivery times, and this has led to a significant growth particularly in Electric Vehicle (EV) registrations.

"Year to date EV sales are now 56% ahead of last year, representing over 17% of the new car market. During the month of May nearly one-in-four new cars sold were electric, outperforming diesel sales for the month. Further analysis of the registrations highlights that when we combine Electric Vehicles, Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles (PHEVs) and Hybrids, which use battery technology for driving, they account for over 50% of the new car market for May. Commercial vehicle registrations both the heavy and light sectors, also demonstrated strong growth during the month," Mr Cooke said.