For the electric vehicle revolution to have the positive environmental impact that it is supposed to, not only do car drivers need to make the switch to battery electric power, but also van drivers and fleet operators. 

It looks increasingly like major cities are moving towards car free centres, but delivery vehicles will still need access to retail outlets and offices, so these will also need to move towards zero emissions. However, recent sales figures from the SIMI show that Ireland is a very long way off having a battery powered LCV fleet.    

Total LCV sales are 31% up year to date on 2023, but of the 15,339 vans, pick-ups, mini buses and other similar vehicles sold, only 351 are fully electric. This is just a 2.29% market share, which is actually down from 2.63% in 2023. 

Unlike in the passenger car sector, alternative vehicle power has not benefited from a major uptake in hybrid powertrains. Only 51 hybrid LCVs, including plug-in, have been registered so far this year which is 0.33% of total sales. By contrast diesel accounted for 96.4% of the total sales year to date, with a share very slightly up on 2023. 

These figures will be a major concern for the government, which is already falling a long way behind on its EV targets. 

It appears that there is still a huge push needed to convince Ireland’s army of delivery drivers and trades people to make the switch to electric and without serious incentives and better charging options, this is not going to happen any time soon.