Huge increase in electric car registrations in Louth so far this year

There has been a 66% increase so far this year in the number of electric cars registered in Louth, according to the latest figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI).

253 electric cars have been registered in Louth up to the end of May 2023, up from 152 during the same period last year.  Petrol/Plug-In Electric Hybrid registrations in Louth rose by 35%, with 92 registered compared to 68 up to the end of May 2022.

Diesel Electric (Hybrid) car registrations have also seen a huge increase, with 35 registered so far this year, compared to 11 during the same period last year. 

The number of cars with petrol engines registered in Louth has also increased however, with 635 registered so far this year, compared to 543 up to the end of May last year, an increase of 17%.

There was a fall in the number of cars with diesel engines registered in Louth up to the end of May this year, with 299 registered, compared with 362 during the same period in 2022, a fall of 17%.

In total, 1,618 cars have been registered in Louth during the first five months of 2022, up from 1,515 last year, representing an increase of 6.8%.

Nationally, 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 seen 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 new electric cars have been registered in comparison to +55.9% (8,258) on the same period 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%.  

Commenting on the latest figures, Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General, said: "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."