Green highway: Sales of electric cars in Kilkenny almost doubles
The sales of electric vehicles in Kilkenny has almost doubled over the past 12 months, new figures reveal.
Overall new car sales in the city and county rose by just under 5%, from 1,723 to 1,817 in the 12 months to September.
The latest vehicle registrations provided by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) reveal 775 new electric vehicles were registered across the country last month, compared to 659 in September 2020, a rise of 18%.
A total of 7,827 new electric cars have been registered year to date, in comparison to 3,613 on the same period 2020.
Commenting on the latest figures SIMI Director General Brian Cooke said: “Despite a 22% (4,426 units) decline in total new car registrations for the month of September, the electric vehicle segment has seen an increase of 18% (775 units) when compared to the same month last year. With an annual growth rate of 117%, the upward trend in Electric Vehicles is hugely positive, but would not have been achieved without the availability of the generous Government incentives.”
SIMI is calling on the Government “to provide certainty and support for consumers by showing its support for the EV project”.
Mr Cooke added: “Any proposals to increase Vehicle Registration Tax on low emitting cars or to withdraw Electric Vehicle supports would only serve to have a detrimental effect reducing carbon emissions.
“With both the detail of the Climate Action Plan and Budget 2022 imminent, now is the time for Government to show leadership and help motorists make the best possible choices. This means for Budget 2022, no increases in VRT, the extension of both the EV Grant system and 0% Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) beyond the current expiry dates and, in conjunction with private enterprise, investment in a national charging infrastructure.”
