Wicklow Charges Ahead As One Of Ireland’s EV Capitals

Wicklow is now one of just four counties in the country where electric vehicles are the single best-selling new car type — ahead of hybrids and petrol models.

Wicklow has officially become one of Ireland’s electric vehicle success stories — emerging as one of just four counties in the country where electric cars are now the best-selling new vehicle type.

New figures from DoneDeal Cars and the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) show Wicklow is racing ahead of the national average in the switch to electric motoring, helped by strong commuter demand, expanding charging infrastructure and growing consumer confidence in EV ownership. (The Irish Times)

Wicklow Among Ireland’s EV Elite

Between January and May 2026, Wicklow recorded 711 new electric vehicle registrations, making EVs the county’s most popular new car choice ahead of hybrids and petrol vehicles.

That equates to:

• 4.6 EVs registered per 1,000 people

• Well above the national average of 3.7 per 1,000

• The second-highest EV adoption rate in Ireland

Only Kildare recorded a stronger EV registration rate.

Why Wicklow Is Moving Faster Than Most Counties

Industry analysts say Wicklow’s close links to Dublin are a major factor.

Large numbers of commuters travelling daily along the N11 and rail corridor are increasingly opting for EVs as fuel savings improve and charging access expands across the east coast.

Unlike many western and border counties where diesel still dominates, Wicklow motorists appear to have embraced electric vehicles much earlier than the national curve.

DoneDeal Cars says the county reflects a wider shift happening in the greater Dublin commuter belt. (The Irish Times)

“Ireland’s EV transition is genuinely accelerating,” said Paddy Comyn of DoneDeal Cars.
“Kildare and Meath have crossed the tipping point. The opportunity now is to bring the rest of the country along.”

The Numbers Behind Wicklow’s EV Boom

Nationally, electric vehicle registrations are up 54% year-on-year.

At the same time:

The rapid decline in diesel is especially significant. Across Ireland, EV searches on DoneDeal have surged by 94% year-on-year, while diesel-related searches continue to collapse. (The Irish Times)

Wicklow’s EV Market Is Growing Fast

The county is also seeing a growing supply of both new and used electric cars.

Thousands of EVs are now available nationally through DoneDeal Cars, including strong availability in Wicklow dealerships and private sales. (DoneDeal.ie)

Popular EVs currently appearing on the Wicklow market include:

• Nissan Leaf

• Volkswagen ID.3

• Hyundai Kona EV

• Ford Capri EV

• Renault Megane E-Tech

Several dealerships in the county are now heavily promoting electric stock, reflecting growing local demand. (DoneDeal.ie)

Wicklow Dealers Seeing the Shift First-Hand

Among dealerships actively advertising EVs in Wicklow are:

• Spirit Ford Wicklow

• Trinity Volkswagen

• Windsor Bray Nissan, Renault & Dacia

• Hills of Bray

Many are now prominently featuring electric and hybrid models in their latest stock listings. (DoneDeal.ie)

New Government Grants Could Accelerate Wicklow Sales Further

The Government’s newly announced €8,500 EV scrappage scheme could now give the market another boost.

From July:

• Drivers scrapping older petrol or diesel cars can access:

  • €5,000 scrappage support

  • Existing €3,500 EV grant

• Total potential support:

  • €8,500

The scheme is aimed particularly at accelerating EV uptake outside the major cities.

While Wicklow is already ahead of the national trend, the new supports could make electric ownership even more accessible for families currently considering the switch.

A Major Cultural Shift On Wicklow Roads

Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the data is how dramatically public attitudes have changed.

Only a few years ago, EV ownership in Wicklow was considered niche.

Now, electric vehicles are officially the county’s top-selling new car category — a remarkable transformation in a relatively short period.

And with charging networks expanding, used EV prices falling and more motorists gaining first-hand experience through family and friends, industry experts believe Wicklow’s electric revolution may only be getting started. (The Irish Times)