Electric Cars and other electric vehicles are growing share of the motor market in Ireland as the country.

If you are considering buying electric car in Ireland, consider the top 5 selling electric cars.

While diesel and petrol vehicles remain the most common in Ireland, electric vehicles are taking up an ever-growing market share, especially among new cars. 

In 2023 there were 22,789 new electric cars registered in Ireland. This represents an increase of 45% on the 15,678 registrations seen in 2022 and is nearly seven times greater than just four years prior in 2019.

Full Battery Electric Vehicles accounted for 18.7% of new vehicle registrations in Ireland last year, compared with 30.07% for petrol and 22.21% for diesel. Battery Electric, Plug-In Hybrid, and Hybrid cars accounted for almost half of the new vehicles market in 2023.

The best-selling electric cars in Ireland in 2023 according to industry figures were the Volkswagen ID.4, Tesla Model Y, Škoda Enyaq, Hyundai Ioniq, and the MG MG4.

The overall top-selling Electric Car brands are Volkswagen, Tesla, Hyundai, Kia, and MG.

Note: Prices listed are taken from the manufacturers and may include state subsidies such as grants and VRT relief. Check with the manufacturer for the latest pricing information.

Price From: €38,593

The Volkswagen ID.4 SUV came on the market in 2021 and has remained the favourite electric car in Ireland in the years since. Comes with more space than many electric cars, and has a competitive range and efficiency despite its larger size.

The ID.4 has two main models, with effective battery capacities of 52kWh and 77kWh, which deliver a range of 363 km – 548 km per battery charge depending on the exact model configuration chosen. Electric fuel consumption ranges from 16.1kWh – 16.9kWh per 100km travelled depending on the model. 

With a standard 11kW charging station the ID.4 takes approximately 8 hours for a 100% charge.

A popular feature of the ID.4 is an unobtrusive augmented reality heads-up display to help with navigation. This scans the road ahead of the car and takes in data such as speed and programmed destination to provide real-time information projected onto the dashboard, so you don’t have to take your eyes off the road.

Price From: €50,494

While normally associated with expensive supercars, the Tesla Model Y hatchback is a competitive option in the Irish EV market, with the company announcing price cuts across Europe which could help Irish buyers.

The Model Y has 67.6–81kWh battery options, giving it a range of 430 km – 533 km depending on the model. 

The spacious and minimalist interior, along with the all-glass roof option means that you will never feel hemmed in with the Model Y.

Price From: €51,710

The Škoda Enyaq iV is a popular electric car brand for people looking for comfortable seating and a large amount of rear boot space. Introduced in 2020, the Enyaq was the first battery EV SUV produced by Škoda.

The current Enyaq iV models come with 58kWh and 77kWh batteries which can deliver an effective range of 376 km – 546 km per battery charge. On a standard 11kW home charger it would take between 6hr 15m and 7hr 30m for a complete charge depending on the battery size.

All models of the Enyaq come with extensive storage space and interiors designed for comfort and support, with a mix of classic and sporty designs on different models.

Price From: €44,495

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 was the World Car of the Year in 2022, a year after it was introduced. This compact, all-wheel drive crossover SUV design comes with 58kWh and 77.4kWh battery models which can deliver a range of up to 488 km per charge.

With normal charging on an 11kW charger at home, it will take just over 6 hours for the Ioniq 5 to reach full charge. The stylish interior features an elegant digital display in easy line of site on the dashboard that allows satellite navigation, traffic control and other systems to run simultaneously.

Price From: €29,995

The compact and affordable MG4 is a popular battery electric hatchback which first came to the market in 2022. The MG4 has continued to adapt and improve in the years since, and now features models with three battery sizes of 51kWh, 64kWh and 77kWh in the new Extended Range model.

These can deliver driving ranges of anywhere from 350km up to 520 km in the Extended Range Model. With home charging it takes roughly 7h 30m for the car to reach full charge. 

The stylish modern design favours a sporty look on the exterior, and an interior that leans into comfort and simplicity in its controls for easy use and convenience.

Deciding between getting an electric car or a conventional motor car when buying a new vehicle is a big choice. Electric cars have come a long way in recent years but it is still an emerging field.

There are many including:

The SEAI provides grants for the purchase of new electric cars with a price between €14,000 and €60,000. The full price of the electric car includes all potential extras such as paint or delivery.

The maximum grant value for private passenger vehicles since mid-2023 has been reduced to €3,500.

The SEAI also provides grant funding for light commercial electric vehicles, such as small goods carrying vans. In order to qualify for this grant the commercial vehicle in question must not exceed 3,500kg in mass.

For large panel EV vans with a maximum price of €90,000, the SEAI has a grant of €7,600 available.

On top of the direct grant funding for new electric cars, new EVs are also eligible for relief from Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT). VRT applies whenever a vehicle is registered in the state for the first time.

In Budget 2024 the government extended VRT Relief for EVs to the end of 2025. Electric Cars with an Open Market Selling Price of up to €40,000 are eligible for up to €5,000 in VRT relief. EVs with a price of €40,000 – €50,000 are eligible for VRT relief at a reduced rate.

There is no VRT relief available for electric cars with an Open Market Selling Price of more than €50,000.

For the next four years, electric vehicles are also eligible for 0% Benefit-In-Kind taxation. Benefits-In-Kind (BIK), refers to any non-cash monetary benefits provided to employees, such as cars. Typically, when the benefits exceed €1,905 in value in a year, they are subject to taxation.

BIK relief for electric cars has been extended to 2027, though the cash value of that benefit will taper off over the coming years.