Environmental priorities, running cost savings and improved range push EV adoption higher across Ireland’s changing automotive market.
Ireland’s move toward electric mobility is gaining momentum as a growing share of consumers prepare to shift away from petrol and diesel cars.
New research from EY’s Mobility Consumer Index shows that 40% of prospective Irish car buyers intend to choose an electrified vehicle within the next two years, reflecting a market that is evolving through a mix of environmental priorities, cost considerations and widening model choice.
“What we are seeing in the Irish market is sustained and growing demand for electrified vehicles, with 40% of prospective buyers indicating an intention to choose an electrified option”
The news comes hot on the heels of recent SIMI data that indicates that electric car sales overtook petrol car sales for the first time in Ireland during January.
Practicality revs motorists’ reasoning
The survey, which gathered responses from more than 500 people in Ireland as part of a 32‑country study, points to environmental concerns, lower running costs, improved vehicle range and persistently high fuel prices as the main reasons behind rising interest in electric models.
At the same time, many consumers continue to weigh practical constraints. More than one third cited uncertainty about charging and running costs, and 31% said the availability of charging points in their area remained a barrier.
The findings emerge as the structure of the Irish car market undergoes significant change. According to recent Central Statistics Office data, electric and hybrid cars accounted for 57% of all new registrations in 2025, up eleven percentage points on the previous year.
The higher share of electrified vehicles in actual purchases compared with stated consumer intent may reflect incentives and market conditions that influence decision making at the time of purchase.
Julia Ann Corkery, EY Ireland’s Transport Leader, said the research captured a market experiencing sustained growth in demand for electrified options.
“What we are seeing in the Irish market is sustained and growing demand for electrified vehicles, with 40% of prospective buyers indicating an intention to choose an electrified option,” she said.
“The findings highlight strong consumer motivations around sustainability, lower running costs and improved vehicle performance, which continue to underpin Ireland’s transition to cleaner mobility.”
Corkery added that broader European trends were also shaping the market, particularly the arrival of more competitively priced electric models. “We have seen clear movement across Europe toward lower cost options entering the market, which is helping to make electrified vehicles more accessible,” she said.
Although consumer appetite continues to strengthen, the survey shows that hesitancy around key practicalities still influences decisions. Among those not planning to buy an electric vehicle, 36% pointed to uncertain charging and running costs, 31% to insufficient charging infrastructure, and 30% each to purchase price concerns and battery replacement fears.
Corkery noted that while confidence is improving, infrastructure remains an important issue. “Charging infrastructure remains a practical concern for many buyers,” she said.
“The State has played a significant role in accelerating delivery, with three grant schemes rolled out between 2024 and 2025 to support investment in high power charging, particularly along the national road network. As EV penetration within the national fleet grows, we expect the private market to play an increasingly important role in expanding the charging network.”
A recent review of planning activity shows a growing pipeline of multi‑bay charging facilities, which could help address concerns among those uncertain about access to charging.
Local authorities, Corkery said, were increasingly focused on neighbourhood charging, particularly in dense urban areas where off‑street parking is limited. Several councils have now published public charging strategies to tackle these gaps.
“If you take all of this together, you see a market that is progressing steadily,” she said. “The transition remains nuanced, with motivations and practical considerations shaping the pace of change. Consumer intent, cost factors and infrastructure development are all influencing the direction of travel.”
The survey also explored attitudes toward connected vehicles and automated driving features. Irish consumers showed strong interest in safety, security and maintenance‑related technologies, but were more reserved about advanced autonomous systems. Cost was again a key obstacle, with more than one third citing the price of connected services as a concern. Only 17% said they felt ready for advanced self‑driving features, while 70% were comfortable only with basic driver assistance.
Concerns around autonomous driving were dominated by fears over accident risk, potential technology failures and data security.
The findings present a picture of an Irish car market that is changing through gradual, consumer‑led shifts rather than abrupt transformation, with confidence in electric mobility continuing to build as infrastructure develops and model options expand.
Top image: Members of the public at the recent Nevo Electric Car Show in Dublin in November
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