Bank of Ireland and BYD launch new digital partnership

Bank of Ireland and BYD Ireland have announced a major step forward in the digital transformation of the Irish car market with the launch of a fully integrated online car-purchasing platform.

The innovative partnership allows consumers, for the first time, to browse BYD’s complete vehicle range and apply for Bank of Ireland finance all on the same website, delivering a seamless, end-to-end digital journey.

The new platform arrives at a pivotal moment for the Irish motor industry. Recently published CSO figures for 2025 show electric and hybrid vehicles outselling petrol and diesel models for the first time, marking a significant milestone in Ireland’s shift toward sustainable transport. A total of 69,014 EVs and hybrids were sold last year, compared with 51,783 petrol and diesel cars — a gap of more than 17,000. EVs accounted for 19% of all new private car registrations in 2025, up from 15% the previous year.

Under the partnership, BYD – which became the world’s largest seller of electric vehicles in 2025 with over 2.25 million units sold – will offer Irish customers a streamlined purchasing experience that includes real-time finance quotations and approvals delivered within seconds. The system also routes qualified leads directly to BYD showrooms nationwide, supporting dealer networks while enhancing convenience for buyers.

Bank of Ireland’s growing focus on sustainability underscores the significance of the collaboration. The bank’s EV financing increased by 50% in 2025, contributing to a total of €16.5 billion in sustainability-related lending by September, surpassing its end-2025 target ahead of schedule. The bank is now aiming for €30 billion in sustainable lending to households and businesses by 2030.

Speaking at the launch, Derek Kavanagh, Head of Motor Finance at Bank of Ireland, said the partnership represents “a significant step forward for Irish motorists.”

“The new offering makes the car-purchasing journey speedier, providing buyers with an experience unlike any other in the Irish market,” he said. “The momentum is now significantly behind the widespread adoption of electric vehicles… and Bank of Ireland is proud to play our part in supporting the continued growth of Ireland’s electric vehicle market — a sector we have long championed.”

Paddy Finnegan, Chief Executive of Motor Distributors Limited, the importer for BYD in Ireland, highlighted the strategic importance of the collaboration.

“We have a long-standing relationship with Bank of Ireland, and we jointly collaborated on the development of this digital partnership from inception to launch,” he said. “We are proud that BYD Ireland is the first car brand to bring this new offering to Irish car buyers, particularly as BYD continues its drive to grow market share in this country. As the sales volumes show, Irish motorists are responding enthusiastically to the cost savings that electric motoring can bring.”

The launch dovetails with national climate and transport goals, including the government’s ambition to have 630,000 to 950,000 EVs on Irish roads by 2030, and to transition 30% of the private car fleet to electric during the same period.