Big increase in sales of electric cars in County Donegal so far this year

The number of electric cars sold in Donegal so far this year has rocketed by a whopping 46 per cent, official figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry have revealed.

The total of all new car types registered across County Donegal in 2025 to date has also increased, by a more modest 3.2 per cent.

Some 188 electric cars were sold in Donegal from January to the end of May this year, up from 129 during the same period last year – that’s an annual rise of just under 46 per cent, which is double the national average increase of 23 per cent.

Overall, Donegal has a relatively small share of the Irish EV market however, registering just 1.5 per cent of battery-operated car sales nationally.

The biggest increase in electric car registrations through the first five months of 2025 has been in Tipperary, where EV sales have more than doubled, with 257 this year compared to 124 for the same time in 2024, for a 107 per cent increase.

There has also been a big jump in battery car registrations in the border counties, with Cavan up 63 per cent, and Monaghan up 89 per cent, in addition to Donegal’s 46 per cent spike.

Dublin has accounted for 47.5 per cent of all electric cars sold in Ireland this year, with 5,885 registrations from January to May, an increase of 15 per cent on its 5,111 registrations in 2024.

At the other end of the scale, Leitrim accounts for just 0.19 per cent of electric car sales in Ireland. There were just 23 EVs sold in the north-western county this year, compared to 26 for the first five months last year.

When it comes to all car engine types, Donegal has recorded 1,754 registrations in 2025, up from 1,699 on the same timeframe last year – that’s an annual increase of 3.2 per cent.

Donegal currently has a 2.21 per cent share of national car sales, up from 2.19 last year.

Carlow recorded the biggest percentage increase in overall car sales by any county, going up from 754 cars registered in the first five months of 2024 to 891 in 2025, a jump of 18.2 per cent.

Leitrim had the biggest percentage drop in sales year-on-year, reducing from 318 last year to 306 in 2025, a fall of 3.8 per cent.

As expected, Dublin accounts for the highest tally, with 43 per cent of all car sales in the Republic on 34,082 registrations, followed by Cork on 11.4 per cent [9,019 registrations] and Kildare on 4.4 per cent [3,496 registrations].

Nationally, new car registrations from January through May are up 2.4 per cent, on 79,301 compared to 77,461 last year.

However, light commercial vehicles are down 8.8 per cent (17,795), while HGVs are also down 10.3 per cent. (1,521).

Sales of imported used cars year to date are up 7.5 per cent (28,184) on 2024 (26,206).

So far this year, 12,392 new electric cars have been registered, representing a 23.3 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024.

In the new car market share by engine type for 2025, petrol cars remain the clear leader at 27.6 per cent, followed by hybrid (petrol electric) at 23 per cent, diesel at 17.4 per cent, electric at 15.6 per cent, and plug-in electric hybrid at 14.6.

The five top-selling new car brands for 2025 are: Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Skoda and Kia, while the most popular specific model overall is the Hyundai Tucson.

Meanwhile, the top-selling new EV brands in 2025 are: Volkswagen, Kia, Hyundai, Tesla and BYD.

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Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General, says Ireland is on track to meet its climate obligations when it comes to EVs, but more State investment and incentives are needed to drive growth further.

“For the fifth consecutive month, new electric vehicle sales have increased, with EV registrations five per cent ahead of May last year, and over 12,300 new electric cars sold so far this year, representing a 23 per cent increase on last year,” he said.

“Private consumers continue to account for the majority of EV sales. While we are now on schedule to reach the interim Climate Action Plan target of 175,000 electric cars by the end of this year, as highlighted by the EPA recently, we need to do more to accelerate the growth in EV sales between now and the end of the decade. In this context, government initiatives and supports will be vital,” Mr Cooke urged.

Meanwhile, Senator Nikki Bradley has welcomed an announcement that six new high-power recharging hubs will be built across Donegal as part of a nationwide expansion of EV infrastructure.

Donegal will benefit from new EV hubs at the following locations: Burt (N13); Circle K, Bridgend (N13); Circle K, Laghey (N15); Ballyshannon Service Station (N15); Kavanagh’s SuperValu, Ballybofey (N13); and Lifford Service Station (N15), while a seventh charging point will be located at the Circle K in Grange (N15), Co Sligo.

The €8 million initiative will see 53 high-powered hubs established across Ireland’s national road network, delivering 175 new fast and ultra-fast charging points to support the growing number of EVs on Irish roads. The chargers are expected to be in place by the end of this year.

“This is a hugely positive step forward for Donegal,” said Senator Bradley. “We are seeing real investment in rural Ireland’s future, delivering the infrastructure that supports clean transport, tourism, and the needs of local families and businesses alike.”

“These sites were carefully selected to serve major routes like the N13 and N15, making it easier for drivers to top up while travelling through or within the county,” she added.