Connolly’s wins Ulster award for ZEVI Electric Vehicle Dealership of the Year

Connolly’s Volkswagen in Letterkenny has been named the regional winner for Ulster in the 2026 ZEVI EV Dealership of the Year Awards.

Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI), an office within the Department of Transport, together with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), announced the winners as part of its annual awards programme which celebrates excellence in the promotion and sale of electric vehicles across the country. 

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Now in its fifth year, the competition highlights dealerships that are leading the shift toward cleaner transport and supporting motorists as they transition to electric driving.

Connolly’s Volkswagen was selected from among the county winners announced last month and represented the province at the prestigious SIMI Irish Motor Industry Awards dinner.

The Letterkenny dealership was recognised for its strong performance across a range of judging criteria, including the visibility of electric vehicles in the showroom, staff knowledge and training, sales approach, customer communication and overall EV sales trends. Judges also considered how effectively dealerships educate customers about electric motoring and the support available.

The Donegal business was one of four regional winners nationwide, alongside Nyhan Motors in Cork, Fred Kilmartin Ltd in Galway and Fitzpatrick’s Garage in Naas.

The award highlights the growing role of Donegal in Ireland’s transition to low-emission transport, with Connolly’s Volkswagen praised for actively promoting electric vehicle adoption and helping customers understand charging, running costs and the practicalities of switching from petrol or diesel cars.

The recognition places the Letterkenny dealership among the leading EV retailers in the country and underscores the increasing demand for electric vehicles in the northwest as motorists respond to rising fuel costs and climate targets.

William Walsh CEO of SEAI said: “Congratulations to this year’s regional winners of the 2026 EV Dealership of the Year awards. At SEAI, we are delighted to see the continued efforts made by Irish EV dealers in supporting their customers’ transition to electric vehicles. We’ve seen record EV sales this year as more and more drivers move away from petrol and diesel. This is helped by the fact that the total cost of ownership goes beyond the EV purchase price to include significant daily fuel savings. Dealerships and their staff continue to play a vital role in educating motorists and in the transition to a decarbonised car fleet. We’re thrilled to recognise their contributions through these awards.” 

Brian Cooke Director General Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) said: “SIMI is thrilled to host the Regional Awards for the ZEVI EV Dealership of the Year. These awards are a key part of our annual SIMI Irish Motor Industry Awards. The awards recognise the hard work and achievements of dealerships nationwide in promoting Electric Vehicles (EVs). This has directly led to the momentum that has built up around electric vehicles over the last year, with EVs now making up 21% of the new car market. There are also many offers and an increasing number of models available for both new and used EV car buyers. The industry in partnership with ZEVI, continues to support customers on their EV journey.”