Laois EV sales surge compared to last year as Iran war causes fuel to rocket
Were Laois car buyers shocked into electric car switch by Middle East war?
Laois is home to the Electric Picnic and is fast becoming the home of the electric car, a switch which appears to have been accelerated by the Iran war that has caused fuel prices to rocket, resulting in nationwide fuel protests.
New car registrations nationally were up in April, driven by strong demand for Electric Vehicles, with EV sales rising significantly in Laois, according to the latest industry figures provided to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.
The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) has just released its official 261 new vehicle registration statistics for April.
It showed that new car registrations for April were up 17.0% (10,184) compared to April 2025 (8,707). Registrations year to date are up 2.1% (75,074) on the same period last year (73,491).
While Laois registrations fell from 972 last year to 958 in April 2026, the trade was buoyed by electric car sales.
Sales of EVs in Laois jumped by 58% from to 241 in April 2026 from 152 for the same month a year ago.
SIMI reports that, nationally, April saw 2,779 new electric cars (battery electric cars) registered – up nearly 110% on April 2025. So far this year, 16,779 new electric cars have been registered, a near 50% increase compared to the same period in 2025.
In the new car market share by engine type, hybrid (petrol electric) leads at 26.67% as the most popular engine type, followed by electric 22.35%, petrol 21.25%, plug-in hybrid 14.41%, and diesel 12.96%.
Imported used cars rose by 43.1% (7,510) when compared to April 2025. Year-to-date imports are up 40.1% reaching 31,154.
Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General, commented on the national situation.
“April’s new car market saw a 17% increase when compared to the same month last year, with 10,184 units registered. Year-to-date new car sales are 2% ahead of last year, with a total of 75,074 new cars registered. New battery electric vehicles for April delivered another positive performance across all counties, with 2,799 units registered, compared to 1,335 in April 2025. Year-to-date BEV sales have reached 16,779 units, a 49% increase on the same period last year.
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"The strong performance in BEV sales is driven by private consumers, who account for 77% of sales, with this sector of the market being supported by strong Government incentives. However, the BEV’s new car market share of 22% is still below the level required to meet national climate targets. The momentum behind the EV project is there, and we must build on this. Now is not the time to reduce supports. The Government must maintain and extend current incentives for consumers and businesses while investing in infrastructure, along with a range of targeted measures to encourage widespread EV adoption before 2030.
“The commercial sector experienced a decline in registrations during April. Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) decreased by 3% in April, however year to date LCV sales are up 14 %. Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) registrations decreased by 21% in April, and year to date they are down nearly 10%,” he said.