The number of new cars licensed in June 2021 was 29% higher than in June 2019, according to new CSO figures, with 4,980 registrations compared with 2,189 in June 2020; and 3,858 in June 2019.

There was an increase of 2,162 in the number of used private cars licensed in June 2021 compared with June 2020, but there were still 2,098 fewer used private cars licensed than in June 2019.

In the first half of 2021, a total of 59,823 new private cars were licensed – an increase of 22% compared with the same period in 2020.

Impact

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic over the first half of 2021 is still visible, as figures remain 23% lower over the first six months of the year in comparison with 2019.

Imported figures boost

Unlike new cars licensed, the number of used (imported) private cars licensed increased above 2020 levels, but were below the 2019 total. In the first half of 2021, the number of used (imported) private cars licensed increased by 50% compared with the same period in 2020, but is 23% lower compared with 2019.

Electric and hybrid cars continue to grow in popularity – in all, 32% of new cars licensed in the first half of 2021 were electric and hybrid cars, compared with 19% of new cars licensed in the first half of 2020.

The combined number of new electric and hybrid cars licensed in the first half of 2021 more than doubled compared with the same period in 2020.

Motor caravans popularity grows

There were 753 motor caravans licensed in the first half of 2021, compared with 255 in the same period in 2020; and 420 in 2019.

The number of motor caravans licensed in the first half of 2021 was 79% greater than those licensed in the same period in 2019.

The CSO Vehicle Licensing figures for June 2021 are based on the National Vehicle and Driver File compiled by the Department of Transport.