Although CSO car tax figures show an overall decline of 16% for new electric cars so far this year, the decline worsened to 38% in April compared to the same month a year ago, the sharpest drop in electric car sales cars ever in Ireland.
The slump comes despite an overall increase in car sales in Ireland, which rose 10% in April, with diesel car sales up 30% and petrol car sales up 17% during the month compared to a year earlier.
The popularity of hybrid non-plug-in vehicles also increased, with sales spiking 33% year-on-year, while plug-in hybrids saw a more modest increase of 6%.
The sharp decline in electric car registrations by 2024 will push their market share back to 13 percent, the same as two years ago.
The government aims to make 30 percent of Irish private cars electric by 2030, a target of around 700,000 vehicles that now seems highly unlikely. This would require sales of electric cars to more than quadruple over the next six years.
While the supply and diversity of electric cars in Ireland has improved over the past year, the category has suffered from chronic depreciation in recent months, with some models seeing their value fall by as much as 50% in a year.
Difficulties with a worn-out public charging network also deter potential buyers who have to make long journeys, or who live in apartments or houses without a driveway for overnight charging.
The CSO figures confirm statistics released last week by the Society Of the Irish Motor Industry (Simi), which show that electric car registrations fell by 19 percent in the first four months of the year compared to the same period in 2023.
To reverse the trend, Simi said, the government should invest in a “reliable, convenient and affordable electric charging infrastructure,” while expanding incentives such as the purchase subsidy.
The best-selling electric cars in April were the Volkswagen ID3, Volkswagen ID4 and BYD Seal. Overall, Skoda was the best-selling car brand in Ireland last month, followed by Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai and Kia.
Tesla revealed declining sales in its quarterly results last month and cut the prices of its models. In Ireland, the price of Tesla's mid-size Model 3 was cut by a further €2,000.
This month, Tesla laid off most of its charging network team, sparking fears that the electric car industry's most recognizable name is scaling back its electric car plans. The move came as a shock to both customers and other automakers that are starting to use the plugs. Executives from manufacturers who signed deals last year to gain access to Tesla's Superchargers say they have been unable to contact their representatives.
However, in a series of posts on his social media platform