Audi, Volkswagen and Tesla are the most-searched-for electric vehicle (EV) brands in Ireland, according to new research from Carzone.
The second hand car specialist site examined the EV search data that potential buyers have been entering, in the run up to World EV Day (which takes place tomorrow, Friday the 9th of September), and found that the Audi e-tron, Volkswagen ID.4 and Tesla Model 3 are Ireland's most viewed EVs on the site so far this year, followed by the Nissan Leaf, with the Hyundai Ioniq completing the top five.
Half of all buyers say they're considering electric
Carzone's research shows that Irish buyers are becoming ever-keener on the idea of going electric, with more than half - 56 per cent - saying that "they are considering purchasing an EV." It's thought that recent spikes in the price of petrol and diesel are particularly driving the electric-buying trend, as 53 per cent of Irish drivers cite lower running costs as their main reason for considering an EV. Some 30 per cent say that it's because they want to reduce their environmental impact, but 69 per cent say that the cost of buying an electric vehicle is still putting them off.
Concerns about the change
Commenting on the research, Karl Connolly, Audience Manager Carzone said: "Carzone has seen the attitude towards electric vehicles and living a more sustainable lifestyle evolving more rapidly this year. Whilst there are many interested in making the EV switch, we know many motorists still have concerns about the change. That's why we launched the Carzone Electric Spotlight series, to provide motorists with an easy avenue to understand EVs. We listened to our Carzone fans, and the series answers many of their questions around range-anxiety, EV running costs and many other queries people have about electric and hybrid vehicles. For anyone considering making the switch to electric motoring Carzone has a wide variety of new and used electric and hybrid cars to choose from."
The top ten most searched-for electric models in Ireland, according to Carzone, are the Audi e-tron, the Volkswagen ID.4, the Tesla Model 3, the Nissan Leaf, the Hyundai Ioniq, the Kia EV6, the Porsche Taycan, the Tesla Model S, the Volkswagen ID.3 and the Hyundai Kona.
Read our Every electric car currently on sale in Ireland feature