What’s behind the EV backlash?

Sales of EVs in Ireland collapsed in 2024 with the number of newly-licensed electric vehicles down by 24 per cent in the first seven months of the year.
But why? The push towards EVs is a key plank in the Government’s climate strategy and the choice of EVs has never been wider.
Early adopters worried about range anxiety but advances in technology has seen that replaced by charge anxiety – concerns about the availability of charging stations, whether that be at home or on the road. But that’s just one worry motorist have before considering an EV.
It’s not as if Irish motorists have proven to be particularly keen on EVs – EVs represent just 14 per cent of all new cars licensed this year compared to 18 per cent last year. In 2022, the top five countries with the highest share of EV sales were Norway (80 per cent), Iceland (41 per cent), Sweden (32 per cent), the Netherlands (24 per cent) and China (22 per cent).
The Government’s Climate Action Plan aims to have almost one million EVs on Irish roads by 2030, comprising 845,000 cars and 100,000 vans, trucks and buses.
With just over six years to go before that target date, the falling sales figures raise further questions over what was already an ambitious target.
Motoring writer Neil Brisco explains why the shine has gone off EV cars for Irish motorists.
Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey.