See all Motoring NewsSaturday 9th September is World EV Day and, in recognition, Carzone has been tracking the electric wave sweeping across Ireland. The 2023 Carzone EV search data reveals that the Audi e-tron, Volkswagen ID.4, Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Kona and Volkswagen ID.3 the top favourites amongst the Irish, contrasting with 2022's popular picks which included the Tesla Model 3 and Hyundai IONIQ. Volkswagen, Mercedes Benz, Audi, Hyundai, and Nissan have emerged as Ireland's favourite EV brands this year.
With electric vehicle charging infrastructure improving across Ireland, the allure of driving an electric and hybrid vehicle continues to grow for Irish motorists. Research from Carzone's recent Motoring Report paints an intriguing picture with 35% of respondents eyeing an electric or hybrid model for their next purchase. The reasons vary - with 57% highlighting cheaper running costs, 52% stressing environmental benefits, while 22% are wooed by tax incentives. But concerns persist. 51% feel that EVs punch a hole in the wallet, 38% lament the scarcity of charging points, and 27% can't shake off range anxiety.
Yet, the numbers tell an encouraging story. With 10,081 electric vehicles (excluding hybrids) listed for sale on Carzone since January 1, 2023 and a whopping 20,216 EVs cruising the Irish roads – a notable leap of 58.79% from 12,731 in 2022* – the shift towards electrification is unmistakeable.
Governmental efforts are in full swing, furthering the goals of The Climate Action Plan. Despite 50% of respondents voicing scepticism over the ambitious target of 945,000 EVs on Irish roads by 2030, increased government supports and heightened EV awareness seem sure to see these numbers soar even higher.
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Top 10 most searched models **
1. Audi e-tron
2. Volkswagen ID.4
3. Nissan Leaf
4. Hyundai Kona
5. Volkswagen ID.3
6. Mercedes-Benz EQE
7. Hyundai Ioniq
8. Mercedes-Benz EQB
9. Volkswagen ID.5
10. Renault Zoe
Carzone’s Sinead McCann shares her perspective on this electric revolution, "The rapid evolution in Ireland's sentiment towards electric vehicles is palpable. At Carzone, we recognise the potential roadblocks but also the massive appetite for EV knowledge. Our Electric hub is a testament to our commitment to bridge the information gap, catering to both EV enthusiasts and sceptics. With a diverse array of electric and hybrid options on Carzone, we're here to power the transition."
* Data from SIMI: https://stats.beepbeep.ie/
** Data is based on most searched data on Carzone between January 1st - September 5th 2023