Electric vehicles: Support needed for NI drivers to make the swap

In July 2024, there were 27,580 electric vehicles on Northern Ireland’s roads, according to the Department for Transport.

This includes battery electric, petrol hybrid, diesel hybrid and range extended electric vehicles.

In absence of DfT data, the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) shows a further increase of 4,459 registrations of electric vehicles in the second half of 2024.

This indicates that there are over 32,000 EVs on the road in Northern Ireland.

Currently, the UK government plans to ban the sale of new petrol or diesel cars and vans by 2035.

In January 2025, the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate and Vehicle Emissions Trading Schemes were introduced in Northern Ireland.

The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) said the schemes will increase the number of cars in the new market and build on stock in the second-hand market.

It says the sale of EVs remain “encouraging” but reaching net zero by 2050 will be “challenging”.

“Decarbonising private cars will be important for tackling the climate crisis, and the department continues to work with other jurisdictions and the private sector to develop this process,” the DfI added.

“However, we also need to provide attractive sustainable transport alternatives.”