New car buyers in Ireland have dramatically altered their buying behaviour. So far in 2010, 75 percent of all new cars sold in Ireland have emissions of 140g/km or less, occupying tax Bands A and B.
A figure of 44.78 percent of this year's new car sales have emissions of between 121-140g/km (Band B) with 33.48 percent of buyers opting for cars with emissions of 0-120g/km (Band A). Diesel cars now make up the majority of new car sales with 63.87 percent.
Contrast this to just three years ago. In 2007 24.48 percent, the largest share, came from cars with emissions of 156-170g/km (Band D), closely followed by cars with 141-155g/km (Band C). The third most popular segment was vehicles with emissions of 171-190g/km (Band E). Band A cars (0-120g/km) in 2007 made up just 0.48 percent, with Band B cars (121-140g/km) making up just 16.06 percent.
Petrol cars also had the lion's share of the market in 2007 with 70.99 percent of sales.
The average CO2 emissions of new cars have dropped from 164g/km in 2007 to just 135g/km in 2010. Average CO2 figures for new cars in Ireland in 2006 were 166g/km, 169g/km in 2005 and 196g/km in 2004, which would be Band F under today's system.
(All figures supplied by SIMI)