We’re in January 2020 and it’s time to look back onto 2019.

First of all, the Irish BEV market almost tripled over 2018, from 1233 (and 0.98% market share) in 2018 to 3444 units this year, and a more significant 2.94% market share in 2019.

The Nissan Leaf is still on top, but the new kid on the block for 2019, the Hyundai Kona Electric is also there, with the exact same number of registrations (1086) ! These 2 are each covering a third of the BEV market and the next EVs are far behind : The Renault Zoé has progressed a lot over 2018 (262 vs 93 sales) but still represent less than 10% of the market, and is underrepresented compared to its European performance where it is at the top, behind the Tesla Model 3. The Tesla blockbuster has been launched in ireland during the last quarter of 2019 and will be the one to watch for 2020 !

The used import market has been a bit sluggish at the beginning of the year but picked up again in Q4. The Nissan Leaf is still representing the majority of the imported vehicles but the Tesla Model S is second. It is normal to see it in this place considering that the American brand only started selling their vehicles in Ireland back in 2017. There is a local demand for older Tesla Model S, that are now affordable, with an almost reasonable VRT. We can expect this market to grow again in 2020.

How will 2020 be for new sales ? It is really hard to tell. Of course the many EVs coming onto the market this year will help the market growing further. We can for sure pass the 5% market share, if the manufacturers can respond to the demand. At least, the aggressive European co2 targets will now push them to sell EVs and not try to steer an EV prospect into getting a diesel.