Is there a plan for EVs in apartments?
The government have a stated plan to phase out internal combustion engines. If they are serious, they must have a plan for how people living in apartment blocks, terraced housing and anywhere else without a driveway are going to charge their full or partly electric cars while at home.
The question is, do they have a plan?
Thanks
Philip
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Aug 2021 Filed under: electric cars
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
The answer is yes — kind of. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is currently going through a public consultation on this very process, and it hopes to start rolling out the first grants to support apartment-block chargers by October of this year.
The plan, as it currently stands, has two levels — a grant of between 50-80 per cent for landlords, management companies and other apartment block owners who want to invest in the wiring and infrastructural installation for charging points, and a second level that gives the same €600 grant to private residents who want to install a charger, where possible. The SEAI is currently seeking public submissions on the plan, so head over to the SEAI website if you’d like to get your views across.
Can we import our two cars from the UK?
Hi,
With reference to your importing feature, I was wondering how much of this would apply to me? I am moving to Ireland with my partner who is an Irish citizen and we both want to bring our cars with us. Both are UK-registered in 2015 and both have been owned for around three years. Are we going to get charged large fees to do this or are we going to exempt due to having owned them and not just buying to import i.e. is the terminology related to the latter and we have nothing to worry about?
One of the cars is a 3.0-litre diesel, so wondering what tax band that would fall under?
Many thanks
Alex
Alex Parris (Gorey)Jul 2021 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Alex,
The good news is, you shouldn’t have to pay anything. As long as you can show proof of ownership for at least six months prior to your move, at your previous address, and can show documentation confirming your move to Ireland, you should be exempt from both VRT and VAT.
You can find more details on the Revenue website.
With regards to motor tax for your diesel, it depends when it was registered and, assuming it's post-2008, what its CO2 emissions rating is. Read our Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained feature for full details.
Will my imported Amarok be VRT-free?
Hi,
I am moving back to Ireland permanently next year from Australia. I own a 2016 VW Amorak that I want to bring back with me. I own the vehicle for more than six months. Can you confirm if I will be exempt from VRT and if there are any other taxes, unexpected costs on arrival in Ireland?
Thank you
Bryan Glynn (Gorey)Jun 2021 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Bryan,
OK, in general, yes you should be exempt from VRT when importing a vehicle from Australia if it’s a transfer of residence, but you will have to show proof of ’normal residence abroad’ — basically household bills and bank accounts in your name — plus the original receipts and bills of sale for the Amarok.
You may also be able to skip paying VAT, if you can prove residence outside of the EU for more than 12 months, but you will have a lot of forms to fill out — head over to this page on Revenue.ie to get started…
What to replace my Mondeo with?
Please point me in right direction. I have a 2018 Ford Mondeo and would like to change in January 2022, so I need some advice. I like diesel. What three cars should I be test driving? Around the size of the Mondeo with five doors. Help!
Fergal Reidy (Celbridge, Co. Kildare)Jun 2021 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Fergal,
OK, at the very top of your list should be the Skoda Superb. It’s massive inside, hugely comfortable, has a huge boot, is well made and has an excellent 2.0-litre TDI 150hp diesel engine. It’s well worth checking out the 150hp TSI petrol too though — it's smoother, quieter and nearly as economical unless you're driving at motorway speed all day.
Next go and check out the Mazda6. Now, there’s no five-door fastback version, but there is a hugely handsome Touring estate model, and it’s very good to drive. Tremendous interior quality too. Only problem? Mazda has dropped diesel engines from its line-up, but the 2.0-litre petrol is an excellent unit, and surprisingly economical.
Finally, you could go for one, last Mondeo. It’s coming to the end of its production life right now, but it’s still a firm favourite of ours, and with it being on run-out, you’ll get some proper bargains if you want to buy one of the last ones.
Can I bring two cars to Ireland exempt?
Hi there,
I am going to be moving from UK to Ireland. If I have owned two vehicles for more than six months are both vehicles exempt?
Thanks in advance
Scott Jolly (Ipswich)Mar 2021 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Scott,
There shouldn’t be any issue. Anything out of the ordinary will always gets Revenue’s antennae twitching, but as long as you can show proof of change of address, and proof of tax and insurance for at least six months at previous UK address, you should be OK. After all, there’s nothing that says the exemption is specifically limited to one vehicle at a time...
Is it ok to keep a UK car here during lockdown?
Hi guys,
My daughter drove home to Dublin from London last October in her UK-registered car. It has been sitting on the road outside the house since then, she drives around occasionally to keep the battery up. She is still here because of the lockdown here and in London. My neighbour has said that if someone reports the car to Customs that they can take it off her and she will have to pay import duty to get it back. She has owned it more than six months. It is her intention that if we and the UK EVER get out of lockdown that she will drive back to London.
She has no money as a result of Covid and is on the Covid payment and came home because she could not afford her rent in London. My husband and myself have been in lockdown for over a year now, we are just not able for the worry of this. Have you any advice please? We do not have a driveway big enough to take this car.
Regards Helen
Helen ONeill (Dublin)Mar 2021 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Helen,
OK, first off there’s nothing to be concerned about. People who are temporarily resident in Ireland are allowed to bring their cars with them, and not have to re-register or fully import them for as long as 12 months. There are no forms to fill out, you just have to be able to show proof of address, purchase, tax, and insurance when and if you’re asked. Students who are studying in Ireland can keep cars with them for the duration of their studies, even if that exceeds 12 months, so there are clearly generally lenient rules when it comes to this. Given that your daughter is (a) intending to return to the UK when it is safe to do so and (b) effectively sheltering with you because of the pandemic, I wouldn’t be too concerned about having the car taken away nor anything like it.
Really, the only issue that would arise is if your daughter wanted to sell the car here, but if she’s going to keep it, I would say you’ve not much to worry about.
I have a unique import question from NI!
I have a two-part question. Can you offer clarification on the distinction between registering a car vs importing a car to NI/ROI after the Brexit cut-off date? Back story: I have a GB reg car and I've been the registered keeper of it for more than two years. I took it to NI in Sep 2020, before the Brexit cut off date of 1 Jan 2021. However, it has still been registered at a GB address, whilst I move between the two countries. I am now ready to register the car in NI at a permanent address.
1) Are there UK custom duties and VAT now attached to this if I register it in NI? Or because the car was taken (can I say imported?) to NI before the cut off date - just not registered - is the process the same pre-Brexit? It is still registered at an English address. I would specifically like to check if registering the vehicle in NI before the cut off date was necessary to avoid the extra UK import fees due to Brexit?
2) When I subsequently move to the ROI, will the car be subjected to Irish Customs Duty, VAT and VRT? I keep reading used cars from Northern Ireland will not be subjected to the new customs/VAT fees but I'm not sure if this is applicable to the car detailed above. Revenue.ie state: "You can register a vehicle registered before 1 January 2021 without any checks on the customs status if it was registered: i) in Northern Ireland or ii) to a person resident in Northern Ireland". So whilst it wasn't registered in Northern Ireland, it was registered to a person with an address in Northern Ireland before the cut off date.
Any information is gratefully received.
Cheers
Caroline Ponsonby (Lisburn)Mar 2021 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Caroline,
Right, this is a bit of a tricky one. The good news, first off, is that there’s no issue with moving a car between England and Northern Ireland — no duties nor VAT to pay, all you have to do is inform the DVLA of the change of address.
Bringing that car south might then represent a difficulty, but it will depend on how long you wait between your registering the car in the North and bringing it south. Technically, Revenue have told us that there is no specific timeline when it comes to having a car registered in Northern Ireland and not having to pay import duty and VAT when importing that car into the Republic. However, they have also said that they will be carefully monitoring the paper trail of each car to ensure that no-one is trying to game the system. If there’s only going to be a short gap between you registering the car in the North and then importing it into the South, that could get antennae twitching at Revenue, even if you’re technically above board.
Is the VW Grand California in America?
Hi,
I would like to know if the Volkswagen Grand California van is available now in America? I’m looking for this type of camper. It has everything I need and it’s very compact, not huge like most RV campers, this is about the size of a conversion van or little bit bigger. Also, can I get this camper in the State of Georgia?
Please get back to me.
Thank you, John
John Blane (Valdosta, Ga. )Mar 2021 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi John,
Bad news, I'm afraid: the Grand California is not for sale in the States at all. You can tease yourself and find out more about it in our review.
Can I register my Beetle for classic tax?
I have a 2001 Volkswagen Beetle and am wondering if I can register for the reduced 'classic' car tax?
Thanks
Chris
Chris Langton (Caherconlish)Mar 2021 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Chris,
I'm afraid that classic motor tax (or 'Vintage' according to Revenue) only kicks in when a car is over thirty years old.
How much VRT on a €37,000 car?
Hello.
If I buy a new car with an on-the-road price of €37,000, how much is the VRT in cash and also the VAT? If VAT is 23 per cent does that make €8,510?
Thanks
Martin.
Martin Dunne (Dublin)Mar 2021 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
I'm afraid we can't answer that without knowing the CO2 rating of the car, as the percentage of VRT paid is dependent on that.
Read How Much VRT is Paid in Ireland? for more info.