Electric car sales surge in Donegal as new registrations almost double 2025

January is the peak month for new car sales, and industry sources are confident 2026 will be a good year. 2025 sales data from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry shows Donegal drivers are buying electric vehicles in larger numbers than ever - although most still stick with petrol and diesel.

New car registrations in Donegal edged forward in 2025, reflecting a steady rather than spectacular year for the local motor trade. A total of 2,797 new cars were registered in the county, up marginally on the 2,766 sales in 2024.

While overall growth in the new car market of 1% was modest, the headline story locally was the sharp rise in electric vehicle (EV) registrations.

Donegal saw 357 new electric cars registered during 2025, a jump of more than 70% compared to the 208 EVs registered the previous year. That increase, while striking, comes from a relatively low base. Even so, it marks a clear shift in buying habits.

In 2024, electric vehicles accounted for just 7.5 per cent of new registrations in the county. By 2025, that figure had risen to 13 per cent, indicating growing consumer confidence in EV technology, charging infrastructure and lower running costs.

All that said, petrol and diesel vehicles continue to dominate Donegal’s new car market. Rural driving patterns, longer journeys and concerns around public charging availability remain factors influencing purchasing decisions. However, the growth in electric sales suggests those barriers are gradually being eroded, particularly as more affordable and longer-range models enter the market.

Another notable trend mirrored nationally is the decline of the manual gearbox. Automatic transmissions now account for roughly three out of every four new cars sold, with the traditional manual gearstick continuing to retreat. This shift reflects both changing driver preferences and the increasing prevalence of electric and hybrid vehicles, which are typically automatic.

Read more: 26 new speed traps now in effect in Donegal

Nationally, the picture painted by SIMI’s 2025 data provides useful in setting Donegal sales in context. Across the State, total new car registrations reached 124,954, representing a 3% increase on 2024. Electric vehicles saw particularly strong growth, with 23,601 new EVs registered, up 35% year-on-year. Market share figures show petrol still leading at 25%, followed by hybrid at 22% and electric at 19%, while diesel fell to 17%.

Combined, electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles now account for more than 56% of all new car sales nationally.

SIMI Director General Brian Cooke said the market finished in line with projections, noting that battery-electric car sales reached their highest annual level on record and increased in every county, helping Ireland surpass its Climate Action Plan targets for 2025.

When it comes to buyer tastes, familiarity and practicality continue to shape choices.

Toyota was the top-selling new car brand of 2025, followed by Volkswagen, Skoda, Hyundai and Kia. The Hyundai Tucson was the single best-selling model nationally, ahead of the Skoda Octavia and Kia Sportage, underlining the enduring popularity of mid-sized SUVs and family cars.

In the electric sector, Volkswagen led the way, with the ID.4 topping the EV model charts, ahead of the Tesla Model 3 and Kia EV3.

Boring old grey remained the most popular car colour for the tenth year running - followed by the equally boring black and blue.