Waterford motorists are increasingly turning to electric cars, with new battery electric vehicle (BEV) registrations in the county up almost 68% so far this year.

Figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) show that 710 new electric cars were registered in Waterford between January and August 2026, compared with 423 during the same period last year, an increase of 67.85%.

The county accounted for 2.21% of all new electric car registrations nationally during the first eight months of the year, slightly up from 2.05% in 2025.

The wider new car market in Waterford has also grown, although at a more modest pace. There were 2,629 new cars registered in the county between January and August, up 3.91% on the 2,530 registered during the same period last year.

The figures come as the motor industry calls on Government to maintain incentives for electric vehicles in Budget 2027.

SIMI Director General Brian Cooke said the shift towards battery electric vehicles was “clearly evident”, and urged Government to extend incentives including the SEAI grant, VRT relief and the 0% Benefit-in-Kind threshold.

He also called for measures such as a scrappage scheme, greater investment in high-powered public charging infrastructure and a stronger focus on business fleets.

Nationally, 2,265 new electric cars were registered in August alone, up 7% on August 2025. For the year to date, 32,079 new electric cars have been registered, a substantial 55% increase on the 20,642 registered by August last year.

BEVs now hold the largest share of Ireland’s new car market at 26.3%, ahead of petrol-electric hybrids at 24.14%, petrol at 20.09%, plug-in hybrids at 14.85% and diesel at 12.56%.

Overall, 121,979 new cars have been registered nationally so far in 2026, up 5% on last year.