The latest registration figures issued by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) for February show new car registrations were down 7.7% (13,915) when compared to February 2019 (15,069). Registrations this year to date are also down 4.9% (45,096) on the same period last year (47,439).

Imports of used car also dropped for the month by 30.1%, as the impact of the NOx tax on used diesel car imports begins to bite. Used car imports for the first two months of 2020 are down by 28.2%. In some cases, NOx tax has increased used import car prices by up to €3,000.

Electric car sales are creeping upwards, with 1,294 electric cars registered for the year to date, a 15.12% increase. Sales of hybrids are the major bright spot, up by more than 60%, with the hybrid Toyota Corolla leading the market. The diesel-powered Hyundai Tucson and Volkswagen Tiguan take second and third place respectively. Diesel has not gone away just yet.

ŠKODA plugs-in Superb

Škoda’s first plug-in-hybrid (PHEV) drive car, the new generation Superb, is said to have an electric range of up to 62km. The large saloon car uses an electric motor and a 1.4l turbo-petrol engine to provide up to 930km on a full tank of petrol when combined with the electric car range. It comes at an entry price of €40,350, which includes €5,000 SEAI Grant and €2,500 VRT Relief.

The new plug-in hybrid claims to be fast, delivering a maximum power output of 218bhp and giving a 0-100 km/h in 7.7 seconds.

An Post goes green with FUSO eCanter truck

FUSO Ireland recently introduced the first FUSO eCanters, the world’s first all-electric light truck, to the Irish market with An Post.

FUSO Ireland recently supplied the first FUSO eCanters, the world’s first all-electric light truck, to An Post. The two trucks will join An Post’s Dublin city fleet.

The 100% emission-free FUSO eCanter is almost silent, but still contains a powerful electric motor with 156hp with a max torque of 390Nm.

It has a range of over 100km, with a full payload and up to 4.3t chassis load capacity. The electric truck has a 30% lower maintenance cost and can reach a full charge in just seven hours, with the option of fast charging in only one hour.

The FUSO eCanter is available in various different body types, including box body, dropside and tipper, making this light-duty truck ideal for urban delivery and green business needs.

Volkswagen gives insights into new electric SUV

Volkswagen claims that the ID.4 aerodynamics reduce the drag coefficient and will boost the ID.4’s range to up to 500km, depending on the drive package.

Volkswagen has provided into the brand’s first all-electric SUV during a webcast following the cancellation of the Geneva Motor Show. The new Volkswagen ID.4 SUV will be launched this year, following in the tracks of the ID.33.

Volkswagen claims that the ID.4 aerodynamics reduce the drag coefficient, and it will boost the ID.4’s range to up to 500 kilometres, depending on the drive package. The ID.4 will initially be launched with rear-wheel drive, while an electric all-wheel-drive version will be added a later date.