The Central Statistics Office of Ireland revealed new figures indicating a decrease of 25% in the first-time licensing of electric vehicles (EVs) in the initial half of 2024. The new registrations for EVs were found to be 10,344, a drop from the previous year’s 13,701, making up 14% of all new cars.
Conversely, vehicles running on petrol barely exhibited changes, dropping by 1% to 25,137. Diesel cars on the other hand saw an increase in their numbers by 10% reaching 17,477, which amounted to almost a quarter of total cars in the first half of the year.
First-time registered private cars averaged nearly 3,500 monthly, marking a decrease of 37%. Factoring in the registration of goods and other types of vehicles, there was an overall reduction of 27% in the number licensed in June, compared to the same month the previous year. Used vehicle registration rose by 19% over the same period.
Volkswagen claimed the title as the most favoured make of the newly registered private cars for the month.
Recent months have noted a slight decrease in new registrations for EVs, following a rise in the previous year and a global chip shortage that severely affected car sales during the health crisis.
The AA Ireland highlighted in a recent report that apprehensions over charger accessibility, dwindling state grants making the cars more expensive, and the lifespan of the batteries in these vehicles might be deterring potential consumers.
From the survey, 30% of users of electric and hybrid vehicles expressed dissatisfaction with the public charging network, admitting they usually don’t use it. Only around 5% of respondents were content with the public charging infrastructure, whilst a majority (56.5%) had their own home charging facilities for their cars. Another 6% revealed plans to set up their own chargers. 30% admitted they only charged their vehicles when necessary, disregarding time and location while 8% made use of chargers at their workplaces.
Electric vehicles (EVs) remain widely-viewed as a more economical choice than their fossil fuel counterparts, petrol or diesel cars. A 40 percent majority deem them less costly, with a mere 13 percent believing them to be pricier. Charging rates of EVs are seen as prohibitive only by a small portion of 8.6 percent, while a more significant 18 percent find them fair.
The survey discloses driving an EV, is mainly driven by their positive influence on the environment and the quieter, more fluid ride they provide, cites Jennifer Kilduff, the AA Ireland’s chief of PR and marketing.