If there was one clear story in Irish motoring witnessed by the wider team first hand in Nevo last year, it was the accelerating momentum behind electrification. Battery Electric Vehicles moved from being a growing niche to an established and increasingly mainstream choice, with changing buyer attitudes, broader model availability and improved infrastructure all contributing to a landmark year for EV car sales.

EV Sales Surge Despite Modest Overall Market Growth

According to official Society of the Irish Motor Industry figures, total new car registrations in Ireland reached 124,954 in 2025, up 3 percent on the previous year. While overall growth was modest, the composition of the market tells a far more dramatic story. Electric vehicle registrations surged to 23,601 units, representing a 35.1 percent increase year-on-year. BEVs now account for almost 19 percent of all new cars sold, a significant leap that underlines how quickly Irish consumers are embracing fully electric mobility.

Plug-In Hybrids Continue to Play a Key Role

Equally notable was the continued rise of plug-in hybrid vehicles. PHEVs captured 14.82 percent of the market, reinforcing their role as a transition technology for buyers who want the benefits of electric driving without fully committing to battery-only ownership. When combined with full hybrids, electrified powertrains accounted for more than 56 percent of all new cars sold in Ireland in 2025. That figure alone would have seemed optimistic only a few years ago!

Changing Attitudes and Growing Consumer Confidence

What has changed is not just the product, but the perception of electric vehicles. Range anxiety has softened as charging infrastructure improves and real-world driving experiences become better understood. Price parity remains a challenge in some segments, but competitive finance offers, stronger residual values and lower running costs are reshaping how Irish punters assess value. The shift toward automatic transmissions, now representing over 75 percent of new registrations, also aligns naturally with the EV experience.

EVs Move From Early Adopters to the Mainstream

Crucially, 2025 saw electric vehicles move beyond early adopters and into the mainstream conversation. Events such as our own Nevo EV Show at the RDS in Dublin played a key role in this transition. By placing electric vehicles in front of families, fleet buyers and curious first-time EV shoppers, the event helped demystify ownership and highlighted just how broad the market has become. From compact urban EVs to premium SUVs and commercial solutions, Irish consumers could see and experience the options first-hand.

Brand Leaders and Popular Electric Models

Brand performance reflected this growing confidence also. Volkswagen led the electric brand rankings, followed closely by Kia, Tesla, Hyundai and Skoda. Models such as the Volkswagen ID.4, Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, and new arrivals like the Kia EV3 demonstrated that Irish buyers are no longer limiting EV choices to early pioneers. Instead, they are selecting electric vehicles that fit seamlessly into everyday life.

Looking Ahead: Ireland’s Electric Future Takes Shape

Looking ahead, 2025 may well be remembered as the year Ireland reached its EV acceptance point. Petrol remains the single largest fuel type for now, but its market share continues to decline. Electrification is no longer a future promise, it is a present reality! With consumer confidence rising, public awareness improving and events like the nationwide Nevo Driving Experience reinforcing engagement, the foundations are firmly in place for electric vehicles to continue their upward trajectory into 2026 and beyond.