According to the latest year on year comparison, Toyota say that rural Ireland is driving the increase in Hybrids.

Self-charging hybrid (HEV) cars have seen significant growth across the country in 2018 with a 58% increase in Connacht, 83% increase in Leinster, 76% increase in Munster and 54% increase in Ulster (Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal) compared to the same time-period in 2017.

Led by sales of Toyota models, counties that saw the most significant growth in self-charging hybrid since 2017 are:

• Offaly – 142% increase
• Longford – 131% increase
• Louth – 128% increase
• Wexford – 119% increase
• Tipperary – 115% increase
• Kerry – 88% increase
• Donegal – 88% increase
• Meath – 83% increase

Toyota announced earlier this year that, in line with its Built for a Better World brand promise, it is ceasing production of diesel passenger cars this year to focus on more environmentally sustainable vehicles, led by self-charging hybrid.

Commenting on the regional growth figures Steve Tormey, CEO of Toyota Ireland said,
“It’s fantastic to see such significant hybrid growth across the country, and not just in the most populated cities. In the past, some commentators have tried to dismiss hybrid as being relevant only to city driving, but the percentage growth numbers paint a very clear story of how hybrid is being embraced in both urban and more rural environments.

“With our new game-changing self-charging hybrid models coming in 2019, including the return of the iconic Camry after a 14-year absence, we expect hybrid to go from strength to strength and the trend of rural adoption of hybrid to accelerate quicker and further than where it is today.”

The full hybrid growth numbers for the Republic of Ireland from June 30th, 2017 to June 30th, 2018 are as follows:



County % Growth
Carlow - 70%
Cavan - 24%
Clare - 81%
Cork - 68%
Donegal  - 88%
Dublin - 72%
Galway - 57%
Kerry - 88%
Kildare - 74%
Kilkenny - 41%
Laois - 51%
Leitrim - 71%
Limerick - 67%
Longford - 131%
Louth - 128%
Mayo - 83%
Meath - 83%
Monaghan - 50%
Offaly - 142%
Roscommon - 56%
Sligo - 23%
Tipperary - 115%
Waterford - 37%
Westmeath - 64%
Wexford - 119%
Wicklow - 23%

Numbers from The Society of the Irish Motoring Industry (SIMI), data from 3rd July 2018.