Dublin, 2 October 2025 — Ireland has reached a landmark in its transition to cleaner transport, with 196,000 electric vehicles (EVs) now registered nationwide, surpassing the Climate Action Plan (CAP) target of 195,000 EVs set for the end of 2025.
Announcing the achievement, Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien described it as proof that “when the right supports, infrastructure and ambition are in place, Irish motorists respond.” He emphasised that each EV represents “cleaner air, lower carbon emissions and a contribution to the fight against climate change.”
The milestone reflects a rapid shift in consumer behaviour, with households, businesses, and communities increasingly opting for electric vehicles due to lower running costs, quieter streets, and environmental benefits.
Looking ahead, the government faces a more ambitious challenge: ensuring that 30% of the national vehicle fleet is electric by 2030. Meeting this goal will require accelerated investment in charging infrastructure, continued financial supports, and greater public awareness of the economic and environmental advantages of EV adoption.
Industry leaders echoed the government’s optimism. Brian Cooke, Director General of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), credited government incentives with driving uptake and stressed the importance of maintaining momentum. “If we want to build on this progress, we must continue to work together, focusing on delivering more new EVs to the market, which will ultimately create a viable used EV market,” he said.
The achievement marks Ireland’s first major CAP transport milestone and signals growing alignment between government policy, industry action, and public adoption in the country’s broader climate transition.
