Will hybrid VRT relief change in the Budget?
I would welcome your opinion on the upcoming 2018 Irish Budget in November. The current VRT relief on hybrid cars is €1,500. In light of current poor sales of hybrid cars in Ireland (two per cent of total Irish sales), do you see them raising this value or could they possibly withdraw it?
I ask this because I am planning to purchase a hybrid for 181 and I would like to take advantage of the 'increased' value.
Michael Carey (Letterkenny)Aug 2017 Filed under: hybrid
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
I would expect to see little to no change in the hybrid subvention in the coming budget. Although there will be some pressure to incentivise low-emissions cars that aren’t diesel, the focus will probably be more on higher incentives for battery-electric cars, and possible plugin hybrids, and some changes to the reclaiming of VAT on petrol for company users. The Department of Finance will be well aware that there is a huge number of new hybrid cars due for launch, and they won’t want to risk a fall-off in revenue by increasing the subvention, so I think, at this point, it’s unlikely to change very much.
Will there be Budget changes for 2018 VRT?
Budget 2018 and the hybrid reduction amount of €1,500 on a new Kia Niro: in your opinion. would you expect this figure (VRT reduction) to increase, based on the fact that hybrids have not been selling very well this year (two per cent of total sales in Ireland), and the government needs to encourage hybrid sales. Hence, I would wait until the budget is announced before buying my 2018.
Thanking you as always for your expert opinion.
Michael Carey (Letterkenny)Aug 2017 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi again Michael,
Our answer on your other question is relevant here too: I would expect to see little to no change in the hybrid subvention in the coming budget. Although there will be some pressure to incentivise low-emissions cars that aren’t diesel, the focus will probably be more on higher incentives for battery-electric cars, and possible plugin hybrids, and some changes to the reclaiming of VAT on petrol for company users. The Department of Finance will be well aware that there is a huge number of new hybrid cars due for launch, and they won’t want to risk a fall-off in revenue by increasing the subvention, so I think, at this point, it’s unlikely to change very much.
I connected my battery the wrong way...
I have a 1986 Nissan Serena 2.3 diesel. I accidently connected my battery the wrong way around and tried to start it. When I discovered my mistake and connected it properly, it keeps turning but it won't start. Also, wipers, indicators, heater won't work. What damage have I done?
Patrick Mcnally (Mayo)Mar 2017 Filed under: electrics
Expert answer
Hi Patrick,
It's not easy to assess the damage from afar I'm afraid, so I'd suggest getting a good autoelectrician or mechanic out to have a look. It's possible that the ECU (engine control unit) has been damaged, but I'd also hope that has protection against such things built into it. Most likely there are fuses blown somewhere along the line. As I said, get someone to look at it for you and hope nothing expensive has been damaged.
Is my car battery flat?
I have no power; turn the key and the lights on the dash board go off.
David Wallace (Ireland)Mar 2017 Filed under: electrics
Expert answer
Hi David,
Very hard to assess such a thing from afar, but certainly sounds like a flat battery to us. Try to charge yours up or get a 'jump' from someone else. If no luck then best bet is to get a good mechanic or auto electrician out to have a look.
Best of luck
Would an electric car work for us?
Hi there,
My wife drives a 2005 Toyota RAV4 1.8 petrol. Over a year ago she changed jobs from a 6km commute to one with a 48km commute each way. This is half motorway and then mainly country roads. This coupled with kid taxi duties means she does nearly 650km a week (Mon to Fri) and spends around €75 a week on petrol. I do 900km a week and already have a car loan for a diesel car.
So my question is, an electric car feasible for someone with that commute and no option to charge at work, except for probably emergencies, and monthly repayments must be €300 or less? Which I assume means that the new Ioniq and new Leaf are out of reach.
David Delaney (Kells)Feb 2017 Filed under: electric cars
Expert answer
Hi David,
Yes, you could just about do 48km each way in an electric car, certainly in the Ioniq and just about in the 30kWh Nissan Leaf, although it would be hugely helpful if there could be some way of charging up at work. A Renault Zoe might do the trick too.
Hyundai asks for a minimum €5,000-odd deposit on a new Ioniq, and the repayments are quite steep so that one might be out of the question, although they come down to around €360 if you can put a €10,000 deposit down. A basic Nissan Leaf, with €6,762 down, will cost you just €264 a month, which might leave enough wriggle room to go for the bigger battery, and Nissan has some tempting free insurance offers on at the moment, while Renault asks just €179 a month for a Zoe, but the battery rental is extra and it comes with some quite tight mileage stipulations.
The other, possibly better, option would be to go half-electric. Toyota can put you into a Prius or an Auris Hybrid for as little as €199 to €263 a month (again, depending on deposits etc.) or you can get the rather impressive new Kia Niro for €353 a month with a €9,000 deposit. All of those should average as much as 60mpg, which would put a big dent in your fuel costs.
Read our relevant reviews here to help you choose:
Is it ok to jump-start a modern car?
Merry Christmas to all!
Someone just said to me something I'd never heard before that you should never use jump leads on a modern car as it will fry the electrics/electronics. The first item turned up on a Google search seemed to confirm. I'm writing it to draw more people's attention to it because I doubt many are aware and also to ask do you have any recommendations as to what to do if your battery is flat. Is the donor car susceptible to damage? What is the situation if you use a battery power pack?
Finally I hope you all have a prosperous New Year
Cheers Philip
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Dec 2016 Filed under: electrics
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
The stories about jump-starting a car frying its 'delicate' electronics is absolute garbage. As long as you connect the two batteries together correctly (or, as you point out, a jump-start pack) then you should be fine. Not everything on the internet is true, remember...
What is the cheapest hybrid in Ireland?
What is the cheapest hybrid car in Ireland?
Igancio Irigoien (Dublin)Dec 2016 Filed under: hybrid
Expert answer
Hi Ignacio,
There are two hybrids that are far cheaper than anything else, but we have to mention both as they’re slightly different in the way their hybrid systems work. The cheapest full hybrid is the Toyota Yaris Hybrid, which starts at €19,250 and which has impressively low CO2 emissions of just 75g/km.
Toyota has also recently updated the Yaris Hybrid so that it’s much nicer to drive than it used to be. The other is the slightly cheaper Suzuki Baleno 1.2 DualJet, which isn’t a full hybrid like the Yaris, but a mild hybrid that uses a smaller battery and clever starter/generator to take strain off the engine to help save fuel. That emits 94g/km and costs from €18,995.
Will a broken boot lock fail the NCT?
I have a 2005 Ford Focus and my electronic key has broke - Initially we thought it just needed a battery but after getting this it still didn't work. We can open the doors manually but cannot find a way to open the boot manually. Do you have any idea how? Also, will this fail an NCT?
Thanks, Karen
Karen Hannon (Limerick )Jun 2016 Filed under: NCT
Expert answer
Hi Karen,
Try 'double turning' the key in the actual door lock to see if it opens the boot. Sounds weird, I know, but works for some Fords. Failing that, bring the car to a Ford dealer for some advice.
There are no specific tests that the boot opens in a car in the NCT, but there is mention of ensuring that the catches are operating properly, to prevent fumes etc. Technically speaking the boot would have to be opened and closed to check that. I'd guess that you may get away with it, but there's a chance you won't as well.
Let us know how you get on
Can I not use scrappage if car won't start?
Hi.
We are seriously considering scrapping a Fiat Cinquecento that we have owned from new. The car's NCT is due in August, it's taxed etc. have been to a dealership (Hyundai) who have given it the thumbs up. However, today, the car has just stopped and won't start, may be electrics or a new battery. Would this mean the car can now not be scrapped?
Thanks
Neil
Neil Farrell (Dublin)May 2016 Filed under: scrappage
Expert answer
Hi Neil,
Generally a car has to be driven on to the forecourt, and be taxed and insured, to get a scrappage deal, but as this isn't government-backed scrappage and is really just a dealer promotion, there may be some wiggle room. Try dropping in a new battery (they're not expensive) and see if that works and if not have a word with the salesman who gave you the deal and see what he says.
Worth buying the new long-range Nissan Leaf?
Is the new 2016 electric Nissan Leaf worth buying with range of 115 miles for €25,000? Is it worth waiting for the 2018 model that might have a range of 200 miles?
John Feely (Dublin)May 2016 Filed under: electric cars
Expert answer
Hi John,
Yes, I'd say it's worth getting the bigger battery. It perhaps doesn't make quite as much of a difference as you'd think but it keeps the range anxiety at bay for a while longer on main roads and around town you'd probably only have to charge up once or twice a week, thanks to excellent regenerative braking.