Number of newly licensed cars rose 5% from last year

The number of private cars that were licensed in March 2026 rose by 5% when compared with the same month last year, according to figures released by the CSO.

The actual number of new private cars registered in Ireland in March 2026 was 15,130, compared to 14,388 in March 2025.

When it came to imported cars, this increased by 34% in March this year, compared to the same month last year.

The number of imported cars licenced was 7,955 compared with 5,917 in March 2026.

When it came to electric cars, the numbers of licenced cars rose by 39% when compared with March last year, which is up 953.

Although, when it came to the number of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles specifically, fell by 7%.

Volkswagen was the most popular brand of new private care licensed in March, with the Tesla Model Y being the most popular make of electric car.

Damien Lenihan, Statistician in the Transport Section of the CSO said: “Today’s figures from the CSO show a 39% increase in the number of new private electric cars (EVs) licensed for the first time in March 2026 (3,429) when compared with the same month in 2025 (2,473). The total number of new private cars licensed for the first time in March 2026 increased 5% when compared with March 2025 (15,130 vs 14,388).

“The total number of used (imported) private cars licensed in March 2026 rose by 34% compared with the same period in 2025 (7,955 vs 5,917).

“There were 1,731 used (imported) diesel private cars licensed in March 2026, compared with 1,605 in the same period of 2025. Used (imported) private petrol cars licensed went up by 21% in March 2026 compared with March 2025 (3,088 vs 2,558).

“In the first three months of 2026, there was a 37% rise in new private EVs licensed when compared with the same period in 2025 (11,942 vs 8,712). There were 10,820 new petrol cars licensed compared with 13,498 in the same period of 2025, a fall of 20%. Comparing the first three months of 2026 with 2025, the number of new diesel cars licensed fell by 22% (6,709 vs 8,609).

“The total number of new goods vehicles licensed for the first time in March was 3,872, an increase of 19% on March 2025 (3,264).

“The number of new goods vehicles licensed in the first three months of 2026 was 10,225, up 17% from 8,729 new goods vehicles licensed for the first time in the same period of 2025.”