The number of new cars licensed in January was down by 18%, according to new CSO vehicle licensing figures.

New cars licensed for the first time in January 2021 was 16,948, compared with 20,665 in January 2020, a fall of 18% – or 3,717 fewer cars.

And last month, 9.2% of all new cars licensed for the first time were electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV).

The combined number of new electric and hybrid cars licensed in January 2021 was 29.5% greater than those licensed in January 2020 (5,581 compared with 4,308).

However, there was an increase of 448 (+5.8%) used private cars licensed in January 2021 compared with January 2020.

Assistant principal Noreen Dorgan said: “Today’s figures from the CSO show the continued growth in the number of electric and hybrid vehicles licensed in Ireland.

“Despite the drop of 18% in the overall number of new cars licensed in January 2021, the number of new hybrid and electric cars licensed in January 2021 accounted for 32.9% of all new cars licensed.”

Electric cars

The number of new electric cars licensed in January 2021 grew by 27.6% from 579 to 739.

New number of licensed plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) cars almost doubled (+93.2%) in January 2021 compared with January 2020 (827 compared with 428).

Noreen Dorgan added: “The number of used cars licensed in January 2021 rose by 5.8% compared with January 2020.

“Furthermore, the number of used (imported) diesel private cars licensed fell by 6.7% from 5,260 in January 2020 to 4,905 in January 2021.”