New car registrations: up 7.4% in February 2026; Battery Electric Vehicles up 14.4%

02/03/2026

The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) today released its official 261 new vehicle registration statistics for February.

New car registrations for February were up 7.4% (15,033) compared to February 2025 (13,994). Registrations year to date are up 4.3% (49,557) on the same period last year (47,493).

Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) increased by 15% (3,635) compared to February last year (3,160). Year to date LCVs are up 19.3% (11,201). Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) registrations are down 4.8% (277) in comparison to February 2025 (292). Year to date, HGVs are down 12.1% (669).

Imported Used Cars have seen a 36.5% (7,639) rise in February 2026, when compared to February 2025 (5,596). Year to date imports are up 40% (15,679) on 2025 (11,200).

In February 2,871 new electric cars (battery electric cars) were registered, which was 14.4% higher than the 2,510 registrations in February 2025. So far this year, 10,172 new electric cars have been registered, representing a 36.9% increase compared to the same period in 2025, when 7,433 electric cars were registered.

In the new car market share by engine type, Hybrid (Petrol Electric) leads at 27.26% as the most popular engine type, followed by Petrol 21.84%, Electric 20.53%, Plug-In Hybrid 14.51%, and Diesel 13.27%.

Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General

Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General, commenting

“The positive start to the new car market this year has continued into February with 15,033 cars registered, a 7% increase compared to February last year. Year-to-date registrations increased by 4% on last year, with a total of 49,557 new cars registered.

The move towards electric and hybrid cars is also reflected in the figures; Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) reached 2,871 units in February, a 14% increase on the same month last year, while year-to-date 10,172 new BEVs have been registered. Private consumers account for 75% of BEV sales and remain the main driver of sales, a trend seen across all counties. New Hybrid electric (HEV) and Plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) registrations have also seen continued growth for February. Battery technology cars (BEV, PHEV, HEV) combined market share now accounts for over 62% of registrations.

The commercial sector continues to experience mixed results. Light commercial vehicles (LCVs) saw an increase in February of 15%, while Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) registrations saw a decrease of 5% on February last year.”

2026 Total New Vehicle Stats

• New Car sales total year to date (2026) 49,557 v (2025) 47,493 +4.3%

• New Car sales total February (2026) 15,033 v (2025) 13,994 +7.4%

• New Light Commercial Vehicles sales year to date (2026) 11,201 v (2025) 9,392 +19.3%

• New Light Commercial Vehicles sales total February (2026) 3,635 v (2025) 3,160 +15.03%
• New Heavy Goods Vehicle total sales year to date (2026) 669 v (2025) 761 -12.1%

• New Heavy Goods Vehicle total sales February (2026) 277 v (2025) 291 -4.81%

• New Buses/ Coaches sales year to date (2026) 178 v (2025) 110 +61.8%

• Used Car Imports total year to date (2026) 15,679 v (2025) 11,200 +40%

• Used Car Imports total February (2026) 7,639 v (2025) 5,596 +36.5%

• New Electric Vehicle sales total year to date (2026) 10,172 v (2025) 7,433 +36.9%

• New Electric Vehicles sales total February (2026) 2,871 v (2025) 2,510 +14.4%

• 5 Top Selling New Car Brands 2026 were: 1. TOYOTA, 2. HYUNDAI, 3. VOLKSWAGEN, 4. SKODA, 5. KIA

• 5 Top New Car Models 2026 were: 1. HYUNDAI• New Car sales total year to date (2026) 49,557 v (2025) 47,493 +4.3%