LATEST: Huge decline in electric car purchases by Laois motorists this year

The number of electric cars purchased by Laois motorists has dipped by almost 25% this year. 

According to new data released today (August 1) from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), 139 electric cars were bought in Laois between January and July 2024. 

That's compared to the same period in 2023, when 182 electric cars were bought in the county. 

So far this year, 13,885 new electric cars have been registered nationwide, representing a 25% decrease compared to the same period in 2023 when 18,484 electric cars were registered.

In July alone, 3,147 new electric cars were registered across Ireland, which was 24.7% lower than the 4,117 registrations in July 2023. 

Just 1% of all electric cars bought in Ireland so far this year were bought in Laois, while over 50% (or 7,028 cars) were sold in Dublin. 

Only Sligo, Roscommon, Offaly, Monaghan, Leitrim, Mayo, Longford, Carlow, and Cavan had fewer electric car sales. 

Leitrim had by far the lowest number of electric car sales countrywide, with just 28 cars bought. 

According SIMI Director General, Brian Cooke, sales of electric vehicles (EVs) are now back to 2022 levels. 

He said, "Last year saw several EV incentives reduced, including the SEAI Purchase and Home Charger Grants, while Benefit-In-Kind (BIK) for company EVs is scheduled to increase significantly in 2025. 

"We are at a critical juncture on the journey to Zero Emission Vehicles, but we need decisive actions in the Budget to arrest this slide and to reignite Ireland's EV momentum. 

"This can be done by extending the BIK incentive at current levels, and increasing the SEAI Grants back to 2022 levels until the EV market recovers. Budget 2025 is a real chance for Government to signal their commitment to fleet electrification and is an opportunity they should grasp." 

Despite lower EV sales in 2024, the overall number of car (both electric and fuel-powered) registrations recorded in Laois during the last six months has risen by 6%. 

One thousand two hundred and forty six cars were registered in Laois between January and July this year, while 1,175 were registered during the same period last year.