New figures from the Central Statistics Office show a sharp rise in electric vehicle adoption at the start of 2026, alongside continued growth in the wider motor market.
The CSO today (13 February 2026) published its Vehicles Licensed for the First Time release for January 2026, revealing a 61% increase in the number of new private electric cars licensed compared with the same month last year.
A total of 5,439 new private electric vehicles (EVs) were licensed in January 2026, up from 3,386 in January 2025.
As a result, EVs accounted for 22% of all new private cars licensed in January 2026, compared with a 15% share a year earlier.
Commenting on the data, Damien Lenihan, Statistician in the Transport Section of the CSO, said the figures show “a 61% jump” in new private EVs year on year.
He also noted growth in plug-in hybrids, with new private plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) rising 10% to 3,781 units, up from 3,427 in January 2025.
In contrast, traditional fuel types continued to decline.
There were 4,639 new petrol cars licensed in January 2026, down 22% from 5,929 a year earlier.
New diesel cars fell 20% to 2,933, compared with 3,670 in January 2025.
The combined share of petrol and diesel cars among new private cars dropped from 43% to 31% over the 12-month period.
Overall, the number of new private cars licensed in January 2026 rose by 8% year on year to 24,231. On a seasonally adjusted basis, new private car licences increased by 17% compared with December 2025.
The used car market also recorded strong growth.
Used (imported) private cars licensed increased by 46% to 7,028 units, up from 4,827 in January 2025. Seasonally adjusted figures show a 7% monthly rise compared with December.
Toyota was the most popular make of new private car licensed in January 2026, with 3,692 vehicles, followed by Hyundai (3,011), Volkswagen (2,106), Kia (2,060) and Skoda (1,945).
Together, these five brands accounted for 53% of all new private cars licensed in the month.
The Volkswagen ID.4 was the most popular electric vehicle. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Among electric models, the Volkswagen ID.4 was the most popular, with 462 units licensed, ahead of the Hyundai Inster (281) and Hyundai Kona (254).
New goods vehicles also saw growth, rising 23% year on year to 2,887 units, while used (imported) goods vehicles increased by 14% to 1,050.
