Jump in registration of electric vehicles
There was a 61% increase in the number of new private electric cars licensed in January 2026 when compared with the previous year – 5,439 vs 3,386 – CSO data shows.
This means the share of electric vehicles (EVs) among new private cars in January 2026 was 22%, compared with 15% in the same month of 2025.
The most popular make of new electric car licensed was the Volkswagen ID.4.
Private cars
The number of new private cars licensed in January grew by 8% when compared with January 2025 (24,231 vs 22,484).
The number of used (imported) cars licensed increased by 46% in January 2026 when compared with January 2025 (7,028 vs 4,827).
The number of new plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) licensed in January 2026 grew by 10% when compared with January 2025 (3,781 vs 3,427).
The combined share of petrol and diesel cars among new private cars licensed fell from 43% in January 2025 to 31% in January 2026.
Toyota was the most popular make of new private car licensed in January.