Will Electric Car Sales Recharge in 2025?
Table of Contents
- 1. Will Electric Car Sales Recharge in 2025?
- 2. The Future of EVs in Ireland
- 3. The Road Ahead: Used EV market Could Drive Electrification in Ireland
- 4. Limited Infrastructure and Incentives Put the Brakes on EV Adoption
- 5. Battery Concerns and Depreciation Worries Fuel Hesitancy
- 6. Looking Ahead: The Potential of a Used EV Market
- 7. What factors might influence the staying power of EVs in Ireland over the next year?
The Irish electric car market experienced a slowdown in 2024, with sales figures dropping by 25% compared to the previous year.This dip has raised questions: was it a temporary blip or a sign that EV sales have plateaued? And what does the future hold for electric vehicles in Ireland in 2025?
Electric cars have a long history in Ireland.Back in 1981, journalist Caroline Erskine reported on the launch of the first all-electric car available in the country. As she noted in an RTÉ archive video, the tiny two-seater was pitched as a solution to rising petrol costs.
While not an immediate success, the EV market has grown steadily in recent years. Brian cooke, Director General of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), points out that 17,500 new EVs were sold in 2024. He acknowledges, however, that 2024 was “disappointing” for EV sales.
“Up to the end of 2023,we had the early adopters,” Cooke explains. “Now we’ve moved into the mass market, and I think those new customers, they need a bit more convincing.”
The Future of EVs in Ireland
Despite the recent slowdown, Dr John Hayes, an academic at University College Cork (UCC) with extensive experience in the electric car industry, believes 2025 could be a turning point. He predicts that increasing competition and falling prices will drive more sales.
“There are 34 companies selling over 100 models in this country,” Dr Hayes observes. “The competition between the Chinese manufacturers and Tesla is driving prices down throughout the entire industry.”
he highlights the affordability of new EV models: “We have Hyundai selling the Inster in this coming year for less than €20,000. We have Dacia selling the Spring for less than €20,000. I expect that this year we will likely see tesla unveil a car onto the market that will come in for less than €30,000. ”
Not everyone in the motor industry is as optimistic about the future of EVs. Nadia Adan, owner of Ashford Motors in Wicklow, has stopped accepting EVs as trade-ins and will not sell them. She cites concerns about infrastructure and the availability of charging points as reasons for her decision
The Road Ahead: Used EV market Could Drive Electrification in Ireland
The Irish electric vehicle (EV) market is experiencing a lull, with sales figures significantly lower than in 2023.
Nadia Adnan, owner of Ashford Motors in Wicklow, has chosen to step back from selling EVs, citing concerns about the current market landscape.
Limited Infrastructure and Incentives Put the Brakes on EV Adoption
“The biggest one is infrastructure.Norway is a grate example,” explains Ms.Adnan. “They’ve 25,000 charging points in Norway, and we the same population as them, and we only have around 1,800,”
She also points to reduced goverment incentives as a factor hindering sales.
“There was a bigger grant towards EVs, and that’s been sliced. The Government are not really doing enough to address these issues to actually pick up EV sales,” Ms. adnan says.
Battery Concerns and Depreciation Worries Fuel Hesitancy
Another challenge highlighted by Ms. Adnan is the scarcity of mechanics with expertise in EV battery technology.
“What do we do for me, when I’m selling a second-hand EV that’s out of manufacturer warranty and there’s an issue with the battery – and you can’t get the right type of skilled labor? Parts, technology, everything, is still so new,” she asks.
Moreover,concern about the depreciation of EVs is a deterrent for potential buyers. The influx of used EVs into the market, coupled with a decrease in their resale value, has impacted dealers like Ms. Adnan.
“If I have Mary and Joe down the road buying a car off me, and then a year later, they come trade it back into me and I have to give them such a terrible offer. That ruins my reputation as an autonomous, and I don’t have the support of a manufacturer to give them back the cars if it doesn’t work out.”
She continues, “I would have to absorb that cost, which myself being a small business, I just cannot do. When I saw this happening, I just removed myself from the mix.”
Looking Ahead: The Potential of a Used EV Market
For now,Ms. Adnan remains focused on selling Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) cars. Though,she acknowledges that this stance could change in the future.
“I’d be looking at is to look at them like a white good,a five-year good,as that’s all they are. Once they do start to go after manufacturer warranty, they start to really hit higher costs if there’s an issue with them,” she says.
“I would look at it like a second-hand iPhone.No one’s going to go out there and buy a second-hand iPhone.They want a brand-new iPhone all the time,” she adds.
Brian Cooke,Director General of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI),believes that the progress of a robust used EV market is crucial for widespread EV adoption.
“To get to a used car market, we need to sell more new cars,” he explains. “This time last year, we had about 20,000 three-year-old EVs on the road. Now we’ve nearly 40,000, and next year we’ll have nearly 60,000.I think over the next 12 to 18 months, we’ll actually see the establishment of a used EV market, which will bring more people to the EV table.”
He remains optimistic about the future of the EV market in Ireland.
“We would expect to see the EV market start to recover. It already has. Our forecasts are that we will get back up to at least 20,000 electric vehicles. Hopefully, we’ll get close to the nearly 23,000 we sold in 2023. So, we do think we’ve turned the corner. I think it will increase in 2025 and hopefully increase every year after that.”
What factors might influence the staying power of EVs in Ireland over the next year?
Interview: will Electric Car Sales Recharge in 2025? Insights from Industry Expert Dr.John Hayes
By Archys, Archyde News Editor
The Irish electric vehicle (EV) market has faced a challenging year in 2024, with sales dropping by 25% compared to the previous year.This slowdown has sparked debates about the future of EVs in Ireland. to shed light on the situation, we sat down with Dr. John Hayes, an academic at University College Cork (UCC) and a leading expert in the electric car industry, to discuss the road ahead for EVs in 2025 and beyond.
archyde: Dr. Hayes, thank you for joining us. The EV market in Ireland has seen a notable slowdown in 2024. What do you think caused this dip in sales?
Dr. John Hayes: Thank you for having me. The slowdown in 2024 can be attributed to a few key factors.First, we’ve transitioned from the early adopters—those who were eager to embrace new technology—to the mass market. These new customers are more cautious and need more convincing.They’re looking for affordability, reliability, and infrastructure support before making the switch. Additionally, reduced government incentives have played a role. The grants for evs have been cut, which has made them less attractive to buyers.
Archyde: You’ve mentioned that 2025 could be a turning point for EV sales. What makes you optimistic about the future?
Dr. John Hayes: I’m optimistic because of the increasing competition in the market. Right now, there are 34 companies selling over 100 EV models in Ireland. The competition between Chinese manufacturers and Tesla, in particular, is driving prices down across the industry. For example, Hyundai is launching the Inster this year for less than €20,000, and Dacia is offering the Spring at a similar price point. I also expect Tesla to unveil a more affordable model, likely priced under €30,000. These price drops will make EVs more accessible to the average consumer.
Archyde: Infrastructure remains a major concern for potential EV buyers. How does Ireland compare to countries like Norway, which is often held up as a model for EV adoption?
Dr. John Hayes: Infrastructure is indeed a critical issue. Norway has around 25,000 charging points for a population similar to Ireland’s, while we only have about 1,800. This disparity is a significant barrier to adoption. Though, I believe that as the market grows, the infrastructure will follow. Private companies and the government need to work together to expand the charging network. Onc consumers see that charging is convenient and widely available, their confidence in EVs will increase.
Archyde: Some industry players,like Nadia Adan of Ashford Motors,have expressed skepticism about the future of EVs.She has stopped selling them altogether, citing infrastructure and market concerns. what’s your response to this?
Dr. John Hayes: I understand the concerns, especially from smaller dealerships. The current market landscape is challenging, and not everyone is equipped to handle the transition to EVs. However, I believe this is a temporary phase. As prices drop and infrastructure improves, the market will stabilize. Dealerships that adapt to these changes will find opportunities in the growing used EV market, which I think will play a crucial role in driving electrification in Ireland.
Archyde: Speaking of the used EV market, do you see it as a key driver for future growth?
Dr. John Hayes: Absolutely. The used EV market will be essential for making electric vehicles accessible to a broader audience. As more affordable models enter the market and early adopters upgrade their vehicles, we’ll see a surge in second-hand EVs. This will provide an entry point for consumers who can’t afford new models but still want to make the switch to electric.
Archyde: what do you think the government should do to support the growth of the EV market in Ireland?
Dr. John Hayes: The government needs to take a more proactive approach. Restoring and increasing incentives for EV purchases woudl be a good start. Additionally,investing in charging infrastructure is crucial. Public-private partnerships could help accelerate the rollout of charging points across the country. raising awareness about the long-term benefits of EVs—both for the environment and for consumers’ wallets—would go a long way in convincing the mass market to make the switch.
Archyde: Thank you,Dr. Hayes, for your insights. It’s clear that while challenges remain, there’s still hope for the future of EVs in Ireland.
Dr. John Hayes: Thank you. I’m confident that with the right policies and market dynamics, 2025 could indeed be a turning point for electric vehicles in Ireland.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length. For more updates on the future of electric vehicles in Ireland, stay tuned to Archyde.
