New car registrations rose 3pc in August compared to the same month last year.

According to data from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), there was 7,811 new car registrations in August.

SIMI released its official 262 new vehicle registration statistics for August, with 262 the number plate code for vehicles registered between July and December.

The figures showed that registrations have increased 5pc so far this year compared to the same period last year, with nearly 122,000 new cars registered.

The most new car registrations occured in Dublin at nearly 50,000 and Cork at nearly 14,500.

The data also revealed that battery electric cars are the most popular engine type in the market at 26pc.

SIMI director general Brian Cooke said: “ The market shift towards battery electric vehicles is clearly evident.”

There were nearly 2265 new battery electric cars registered last month, which was a 7pc increase on August last year.

So far this year, 32,079 new electric cars have been registered, a 55pc increase compared to the same period in 2025, when 20,642 electric cars were registered.

Battery electric cars are followed in popularity by hybrid (petrol electric) at 24pc, petrol with 20pc, Plug-In Hybrid 15pc, and Diesel 13pc. 

Mr Cooke now wants to see the government support the growing popularity of battery electric vehicles.

“It is crucial that the Government supports this trend with incentives that build on this momentum in what is still a developing market.

He sees Budget 2027 as the perfect opportunity to build on the trend by extending and retaining the current incentives provided which he argues are vital in sustaining consumer confidence.

“This would enable more households and businesses to make the switch, while also supporting our climate change goals.

“Additional targeted measures like the scrappage scheme, investment in high-powered public charging infrastructure and a focus on the business sectors can also help increase our national fleet and our second-hand BEV market.

“Now is the time to invest in incentives to drive change.” he said.

Light commercial Vehicles (LCVs) registrations decreased by 10pc compared to August last year, while Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) registrations increased by 9pc compared to the same month last year.

Imported used cars saw a 36pc rise in August 2026, when compared to last year, with more than 8,000 registrations last month.