But according to a recent DoneDeal Cars survey, the Irish car buyer wants their next EV to be capable of more than 500km on a full charge. That’s roughly the same as driving from Belfast to Dingle without stopping to charge.
In October, EVs became the most registered type of new car in Ireland. Still, adoption has been slower than planned. Most estimates suggest there are just over 100,000 electric cars on Irish roads — well short of the government’s target of 180,000 by now, on the way to 845,000 by 2030.
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We register about 120,000 new passenger cars each year, and around 18% are full EVs. To hit the 2030 target, Ireland would need to average about 150,000 new and imported EVs per year. That simply isn’t realistic.
So why the hesitation? There are two big reasons: battery degradation and range anxiety — both cited by 25% of potential buyers in the DoneDeal survey. And, of course, the bruising collapse in used EV values hasn’t helped.
That slide happened fast. First, EVs were expensive but in short supply — so used values were strong. Then, as production ramped up, manufacturers dropped new prices. When that happens, used prices inevitably take a hit.
Dealers got nervous, trade-ins were refused, and word spread quickly — not all of those words were true.
The result is a mix of healthy and unhealthy scepticism toward EVs.
Irish buyers inevitably compare this new tech to what they know and trust — and Irish buyers love diesel, especially when buying used. Diesel remains the most searched-for engine type on DoneDeal Car
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As fewer carmakers offer new ones, used diesels have become even more desirable. Škoda, for example, now accounts for about one in three new diesels sold in Ireland.
When Irish buyers do choose an EV, the main motivation is cost, not the environment.
Twice as many say they’re driven by saving money rather than saving the planet.
And the cost case stacks up. Even without obsessing over your night-rate electricity, the average EV driver saves around €760 a year compared to running a petrol equivalent. Charging at home remains the cheapest way to power up — but challenges remain.
For one thing, petrol and diesel fuels still aren’t that expensive. Despite annual carbon tax hikes, pump prices are sitting at fairly ordinary levels. It’s only when they cross that psychological €2-a-litre line that outrage sets in and it makes the Six One News.
For another, new EVs are still costly. While small models like the Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03 have made electric driving more accessible, many new EVs remain out of reach for the average buyer.
Rethinking the relationship
Irish motorists may need to start thinking differently about EVs.
Yes, building them produces plenty of CO₂ — but once on the road, they emit none. The more people start driving EVs, the cleaner our air becomes, and the easier life gets for anyone with respiratory issues.
Yes, you do have to plan your journey a little more and you do need to drive a little more efficiently. Of course they aren’t for everyone yet, but they certainly suit more people than we think.
It’s not about chasing a 500km range. It’s about what we really need — and what makes the most sense for how we actually drive.
Buyers need to take an honest look at how much they actually drive. Because it doesn’t require anything like the range we are all demanding.
Paddy Comyn is the Head of Automotive Content and Communications with DoneDeal Cars. He has been involved in the Irish Motor Industry for more than 25 years.
Note: Journal Media Ltd has shareholders in common with Done Deal Ltd
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