Nevo reports that the Irish car market has crossed a landmark moment. New figures released by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) show that 7,319 (Up 48.67% on 2025) electric vehicles were registered in January 2026, meaning electric cars officially outsold petrol cars (7,245) for the first time in a single month. It marks a significant acceleration in a trend that has been building steadily over the past number of years. While electrification was once viewed as a long-term ambition, the January data confirms it is now a present-day reality.
This is not the first time electric vehicles have overtaken a traditional fuel type. Back in April 2023, EVs outsold diesel cars for the first time on a monthly basis. That moment proved to be a tipping point. By 2025, electric vehicles accounted for 18.9% of all new car sales, while diesel fell to 17.1%, meaning EVs surpassed diesel for the full year as a whole.
What makes the January 2026 figures particularly striking is the scale and speed of growth. Ireland registered more electric vehicles in the first 28 days of January (6,0?? units) than in the entire 12 months of 2020, when just 4,013 EVs were sold nationwide. In effect, more than a year’s worth of progress has been compressed into just four weeks!
This surge has been driven by several converging factors. Public charging infrastructure continues to expand, consumer understanding of electric ownership has improved, and real-world experience has helped dispel many early misconceptions around range and usability. Perhaps most importantly, the long-discussed issue of price is rapidly fading.
The arrival of electric family cars priced between €20,000 and €30,000 has effectively burst the so-called pricing myth that EV’s are more expensive. In many segments, electric and combustion vehicles now sit at or near price parity. With the reduction in tech and battery prices, many brands now offer entry into EV ownership at sub €20k with real-world range and comfort. For buyers, the decision increasingly comes down not to cost, but to individual needs, driving patterns and lifestyle.
Competition has also intensified dramatically. The entrance and rapid growth of Chinese manufacturers such as MG, BYD, XPeng, and, most recently, Leapmotor, have reshaped the market, putting pressure on established brands to be competitive and accelerate innovation. January sales figures by manufacturer place Hyundai firmly in the lead, with Volkswagen and Kia close behind, while BYD and Renault complete the top five best-selling electric brands.
Looking at the five best-selling electric vehicles puts the Volkswagen ID.4 on top, followed by the Hyundai Inster, Kia EV3, Hyundai Kona Electric, and the Hyundai Ioniq 5. The year ahead will see the arrival of many more exciting new electric vehicles. This means together, the data points to a clear conclusion that Ireland is no longer approaching an electric future; it is firmly entering one!
“Seeing the total numbers of EVs sold for January is hugely encouraging. At Nevo, we all hope our RDS-based Electric Vehicle Show and our nationwide Driving Experience events have played a small part in these numbers by giving people real, hands-on exposure. Once drivers experience EVs properly, the numbers tend to speak for themselves,” said Simon Andreucetti, Managing Director at Nevo
“This is genuinely excellent news. It shows Irish motorists are confident, informed, and ready for change! EVs outselling combustion power in a single month isn’t symbolic anymore, it’s fact. Choice, pricing parity and real-world experience have finally aligned, and the market is moving decisively forward. Our Nevo YouTube channel growth reflects this trend with more people consuming and engaging with our content monthly,” added Derek Reilly, Content & PR Director at Nevo.
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