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11 Apr 2025
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11 Apr 2025
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Leitrim has recorded the lowest number of Electric Vehicle (EV) registrations in the country so far this year, according to an Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) report.
The county has only registered 22 electric vehicles so far this year, accounting for less than 10% of the 264 vehicles that have been registered in the county in total.
These figures contrast with the national trend highlighted in the report, which showed a 29% increase in EV registrations across the country compared to the same period last year.
Leitrim, like other rural areas, has lagged in the uptake of EVs due to a lack of charging infrastructure, with the county ranked the worst in the country for EV charging points in 2022, according to a Northern and Western Regional Assembly (NWRA) report.
Though most new electric cars have batteries that last for hundreds of kilometres, the cost of purchasing new vehicles and installing personal chargers, along with range anxiety, are still factors for those in Leitrim who wish to switch to electric.
In the new car market share by engine type for 2025, petrol cars continue to lead the market at 27.85%, followed by hybrid (petrol-electric) at 24.28%, diesel at 16.73%, electric at 15.39%, and plug-in electric hybrid at 14.14%, according to the SIMI report.
“The positive news on EVs is that market performance has been driven by an increase in the sales of hybrid cars, which, when combined with EVs, account for 55% of the market,” said Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General.
Meanwhile, he highlighted that there has been a continued drop in the registration of light commercial vehicles this year, according to the report.
“Light commercial vehicle registrations have seen another month of decline, with a 13% decrease in LCV sales this quarter, and heavy goods vehicle (HGV) registrations are down 6% year to date. This decline in commercial registrations highlights the current uncertain economic climate.”
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