There was a 25% increase in electric car sales in the first two months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024 – which was a disappointing year for battery electric vehicle sales.

However, while sales declined last year, there were still 18,640 electric vehicles (EVs) registered, with the vast majority (17,459) being battery electric car registrations.

Ireland’s most popular electric car brands in 2024 were Tesla, Volkswagen, Kia, Hyundai, and BYD.

With many motorists set to purchase a new electric car in 2025, let’s take a look at the top selling electric cars in Ireland last year, and find out how much they cost.

Note: Prices listed below are taken from manufacturers’ websites, and may include grants and VRT relief. Consult your local dealership for the latest prices.

Price: From €39,990

Tesla occupies two spots in Ireland’s top 5 most popular cars, with number one spot going to the Tesla Model 3 – which boasted a 9.43% share of sales in 2024. 

The Tesla Model 3 comes in four models – with the rear wheel drive with a range of 513km starting from €39,990 (including the 3,500 SEAI grant).

The other models include the long-range rear wheel drive – with a range of 702km, and the Performance All-Wheel Drive which accelerates 0-100 km/h in 3.1 seconds. The electric car’s lightweight, staggered wheels provide better traction on corners, and they are optimised for both range and comfort. 

Its larger brake rotors and performance brake pads also give drivers more stopping power and consistent braking at all speeds. And with an immersive sound from its 17 speakers, rear passengers have access to an 8” touchscreen with entertainment, temperature control and Bluetooth.

Price: From €36,721

The Volkswagen ID.4 has been popular in Ireland for a few years, and was the top selling EV in 2023 with a 12.79% share of the electric car market. Dropping down to second place in 2024, the ID.4 still had an impressive 8.67% share of the EV market, and was in first position until December.

Volkswagen’s ID.4, starting at €36,721, has two models with battery capacities of 52kWh and 77kWh. 

Depending on the specific model, these can deliver a range of between 363 km and 548 km per charge. The urban SUV is an attractive electric car, with shaped 18 inch or optional 19 to 21 inch alloy wheels, a roof railing, and an optional light line that extends to the front and rear to the Volkswagen logo.

A large, panoramic sunroof stretches over the entire width of the car gives an unobstructed view.  With a standard 11kW charging station, the Volkswagen ID.4 takes around 8 hours to fully charge.

Price: From €46,990

A total of 1,279 Tesla Model Y electric cars were registered in Ireland last year, making it the third most popular EV on the market, with a 7.33% share of sales. With a range between 514km and 600km, the Model Y starts at €46,990. 

In January, Tesla announced a new, upgraded Model Y which will be available from June with a slightly lower starting price of €44,990. 

The Model Y is extremely similar in appearance to the Model 3, driven home by the fact that more than three quarters of  parts are shared between the two.

The stylish car, which was the world’s top selling overall in 2023, has a 15.4” front-row touchscreen and 7 exterior cameras, and a minimalistic but spacious interior.

Price: €46,900

The Kia EV6 sold over 24,000 units in Europe in 2024, with 759 new registrations in Ireland – the fourth most popular choice for electric car drivers.

The Kia EV6 is an all-electric crossover SUV, with the EV6 GT model able to achieve 0 to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 260 kmh.  The EV6 was available with 58 kWh and 77.4 kWh batteries, and the revamped, updated model  introduced in 2024 has an 84 kWh option.

Depending on the variant, the car can deliver 428km to 582km of range, with the 84kWh battery achieving the upper end of the range scale. The revamped model has a number of upgrades, including a more stylish interior, angular LED headlights, an updated front fascia, and fresh alloy wheel designs. 

Price: From €31,995 

The Hyundai Kona sold 746 in 2024, becoming Hyundai’s most popular electric vehicle with more than 4% of the overall EV market, as the manufacturer’s ICONIQ 5 dropped 5 places to 10th.

The new Kona is a bold SUV with a futuristic look and a spacious interior, and has advanced smart tech. With a starting price of €31,995 – the sporty Kona is the cheapest of the top 5 selling eclectic cars last year.

The 48.4 kWh battery has a driving range of up to 377 km on a single charge, while the 65.4 kWh battery model delivers up to 514 km of range.

Fully battery electric vehicles are still less prevalent on Irish roads than petrol or diesel cars, however there has been a shift away from traditionally fuelled vehicles in recent years. 

In 2023, battery electric cars were the third most popular choice for Irish motorists, with an 18.67% share of sales. The share of new electric car registrations fell to 14.4% in 2024.

However, plug-in hybrids are on the rise – and in the first two months of 2025, the combined share of electric and plug-in hybrid cars accounted for 30% of sales.

There were 7,435 new fully electric cars registered in January and February 2025, a 25% increase compared to the first two months of 2024.

In 2025, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) offers a maximum grant of €3,500 for privately purchased battery electric cars. Approved EVs must be between €14,000 and €60,000 to receive a grant.

The full price includes all optional extras, delivery and other charges, however it does not include incentives such as grants or rebates.

The SEAI’s electric car grant value depends on the vehicle’s full, non-discounted price excluding VRT relief or grant support.

There are also grants available for the purchase of ‘N1’ light commercial battery electric vehicles from the SEAI. These ‘N1’ vehicles are typically small goods carrying vans purchased by  businesses, public entities or private individuals. 

The maximum grant for new vehicles is €3,800. Like the private electric car grant, vehicles must be between €14,000 and €60,000.