Electric cars slump further as diesel sales soar — CSO

While the CSO car-taxation numbers show an overall decline of 16pc in new electric cars so far this year, the fall worsened to 38pc in April compared to the same month a year ago, the steepest drop in electric car sales on record in Ireland.

The slump comes despite an overall increase in car sales in Ireland, up 10pc in April, with diesel car sales up 30pc and petrol vehicles up 17pc during the month compared to a year earlier.

The popularity of hybrid non-plug-in vehicles also increased, with a 33pc spike in sales year-on-year, while plug-in hybrids had a more modest rise of 6pc.

The sharp fall in electric-car registrations in 2024 pushes their share of the market down to 13pc, the same as two years ago.

The Government has a target of making 30pc of Ireland’s privately-owned cars electric by 2030, a goal of around 700,000 vehicles that now appears highly unlikely. It would require sales of electric cars to more than quadruple over the next six years.

Although the supply and diversity of electric cars has improved in Ireland over the last year, the category has suffered from chronic depreciation in recent months, with some models seeing their value fall by up to 50pc in a year.

Difficulties with a threadbare public-charging network are also putting off potential buyers who need to do long trips, or who live in apartments or homes without a driveway for overnight charging.

The CSO figures confirm statistics released last week by the Society Of the Irish Motor Industry (Simi), showing a 19pc fall in electric car registrations in the first four months of the year compared to the same period in 2023.

To reverse the trend, Simi said, would require the Government to invest in a “reliable, convenient and affordable electric charging infrastructure”, while extending incentives such as the purchase grant.

The best-selling electric cars in April were the Volkswagen ID3, Volkswagen ID4 and BYD Seal. Overall, the best-selling car brand in Ireland last month was Skoda, followed by Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai and Kia.

Tesla revealed falling sales in its quarterly earnings last month, and cut the prices of its models. In Ireland, the price of Tesla’s mid-sized Model 3 reduced by a further €2,000.

This month Tesla fired most of its charging-network team, leading to fears that the electric car industry’s most recognisable name is scaling back plans for the electric cars. The move came as a shock both to customers and other carmakers that are starting to use its plugs. Executives for manufacturers that signed agreements just last year to access Tesla’s Superchargers say they’ve been unable to contact its representatives.

However, is a series of posts on his social media platform X, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the company would invest an additional $500m in its charging network, but did not give more details.