Expert answer

Hi Brian,

It’s a tricky one. The problem is that a 330e gets amazing fuel economy as long as you keep it plugged in as much as possible (which would work nicely for your short commutes), but that all goes to pot a bit on long motorway journeys (which is obviously not going to be good).

We think it’s a good idea to start moving away from diesel and towards hybrid and electric, but you’re going to struggle — overall — to match your A5 TDI’s economy with the 330e. Now, the thing is you can maybe make this work from the perspective of overall running costs. If you can charge up at work as well as at home, and stick to electric-only power as much as possible for your three short commuting days, then it’s just possible that might balance out the thirstier longer runs on the other two days.

Unfortunately, we can’t be more certain than that — the only way to know for sure is to try it out. If you don’t fancy making that leap of faith, then I guess it’s back to 320d diesel power and wait for truly long-range electric cars to arrive.

Expert answer

Hi Paul,

No. If you purchase it as a commercial vehicle, then you will pay the commercial vehicle VRT rate of 13.3 per cent, whether or not you then go on to convert it. There should be no VAT implication either, as you’ll pay the normal VAT rate at the time of purchase. According to Revenue, if you’re converting to M1 status, you only need to make them aware of it if you’re adding seats to the vehicle, but as with all VAT matters, check with your accountant before leaping. 

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Hi Hugh,

Sort of, yes. The thing is that there aren’t any five-seat commercial 4x4s anymore — the N1 certification loophole for that kind of car was closed off in 2018, so now five-seat SUVs pay a full rate of VRT. However, if you’re exempt from paying both VRT and VAT then one of those very cars (Toyota Land Cruiser, perhaps? Or maybe a VW Touareg?) would be an ideal car for you as you will be getting one at an effective 50 per cent discount compared to the rest of us. Well worth investigating.

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Hi Lillian,

No, it’ll be taxed as a commercial and the weight will be taken from its certificate of conformity document. If you want to tax it as a private car, then the weight doesn’t come into it — it switches back to the old by-engine-capacity system.

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Hi Iobhán,

If you’ve bought a new electric car, talk to the dealer from whom you bought it. All of the major electric car brands have their own charging recommendations and can usually offer you a supply and fitting service. If it’s a second hand one, talk to the guys at ESB e-cars as a first port of call — lots of knowledgable people there and they’re very helpful. As a rule of thumb you’ll need to be able to run a charger with a power output of at least 7.4kW or you’ll not be able to fully charge the car overnight, especially if it’s one of the new big-battery models. 

Expert answer

Hi Ed,

Yes, theoretically it should be free for the NOx tax as, as you say, that’s calculated as a component of VRT and you are bringing the car to Ireland as part of a change of address. 

Expert answer

Hi Michael,

It does indeed. In fact, cruise control will be standard on all versions of the new Peugeot 208, from Active spec on up. Read our Peugeot 208 reviews here

Expert answer

Hi Chris,

No, you’ll be grand. If the vehicle was originally registered as a commercial then it will retain that designation. The change in the rules only affected cars registered from July 2018. 

Expert answer

Hi Gerry,

No, motor tax hasn’t been changed for 2020, so you’ll pay the same as last year. The only change to the tax system is the introduction of the new NOx emissions tax, but that only applies if you’re buying a new car or importing a used car from abroad. 

Expert answer

Hi Lynn,

It’s not going to be cheap I’m afraid. According to the best figures we can find, a 2014 1.7 CDTi Opel/Vauxhall Mokka has NOx emissions of 133mg/km. On the new NOx tax of €5 per mg for the first 60mg, €15 per mg between 60 and 80mg and €25 per mg above that, you’re looking at a NOx tax cost of €1,925 ON TOP of the normal VRT cost (which is going to be around €1,700 or so).