WEALTH May 12, 2026 0 Comments

Why a 40% Surge in Used Car Imports and a 73% EV Boom This April Could Rewrite the Future of Automotive Investing—Are You Ready to Cash In?

Ever wonder why suddenly everybody’s turning to used imported cars while new private car registrations take a hit? It’s like the market’s whispering, “Why buy new when the pre-loved gems are stealing the show?” April’s stats from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) spill the beans: a jaw-dropping 40% surge in licensed used imported cars, while new private car registrations slid down by 8%. But here’s the kicker — electric cars are charging ahead with a massive 73% jump, reshaping the game entirely. Seems like the motor industry is shifting gears fast, and if you’re in business, ignoring this shift might just cost you big time. Buckle up, because we’re diving into the trends steering Ireland’s roads right now. LEARN MORE

The number of used imported cars licensed increased 40% in April as registrations of new private cars declined 8%, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

There were 7,732 used cars licensed last month, up from 5,537 in the same month last year, while new private car registrations declined from 13,033 to 11,930.

The number of new private electric cars licensed grew 73% year-on-year from 1,783 to 3,089, increasing the share of EVs among new cars sales from 16% to 23%.

“A 73% increase in EV registrations in April compared to the same month last year is a significant milestone, and with almost one in four new private cars so far this year fully electric, EV adoption is on a continued upward trajectory in Ireland’s motor industry,” said John O’Keeffe, CEO of ePower.

“For businesses, this is no longer a future trend — it’s a customer expectation. EV drivers are actively choosing where to shop, work, stay, and spend based on the availability of reliable charging.

“For site owners, retailers, hospitality operators, and workplaces, charging infrastructure has become both a customer service and a commercial opportunity.”

Plug-in hybrid electric licences also increased 3% from 1,761 to 1,810, and PHEVs’ share of new car licences was stable at 15%.

Meanwhile, the share of petrol and diesel cars this year to date has declined to 34% from 44% during the first four months of 2025.

Overall, Toyota was the most popular make of new private car licensed in April with 1,545 vehicles, ahead of Volkswagen (1,408), Skoda (1,330), Kia (928), and Hyundai (859). Together, the five brands represented 51% of the market.

The Toyota C-HR was the most popular make of electric car followed by the Skoda Enyaq (165) and Volkswagen ID.4 (130).

The number of new goods vehicles was up by 21% in April 2026 when compared with April 2025 (3,787 vs 3,130).

Car — Used car registrations rose 40% year-on-year in April.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, new private cars licensed was comparable in April 2026 with March 2026, and the number of seasonally adjusted used private cars licensed rose by 3% over the same period.

(Pic: Getty Images)