Expert answer

Hi Kay,

From your description, I'm going to assume you need a decent boot, but outright range is probably not so important and you're unconcerned with rear-seat space. Given you have solar panels, you should be able to charge up the car at home during the day, for 'free' most of the time as well, which is great.

There are some excellent brand-new electric cars around for under the €30,000 mark, such as the MG4 EV, Nissan Micra and Renault 5. The boots in the latter two may not hold all your golf stuff, though you can of course fold down the rear seats to do so. And if you're willing to do that, then you really should also consider the excellent Hyundai Inster.

Our top choice for you, though, is the Renault 4 E-Tech electric, which has a bigger boot than all of the others mentioned here, along with a relatively upright seating position, making it easy to get in and out of.

Here are links to our reviews of the above cars for your interest, but don't hesitate to send us another question if you want us to help you narrow down your search:

MG4 EV reviews

Renault 5 reviews

Nissan Micra reviews

Renault 4 reviews

Expert answer

Hi Pauric,

I'm afraid your local motor tax office has it right. When a commercial vehicle is taxed for private use, it is done by the engine size, reverting back to the old pre-2008 system, even for a relatively new van such as yours. It has nothing to do with CO₂ emissions.

So a van with an engine of 1,401-1,500cc capacity does indeed cost €413 per year to tax for private use.

Read our Motor Road Tax Prices In Ireland Explained guide for full details.

Expert answer

Hi Pat,

We're not aware of any changes to the Smart #1 Brabus since it went on sale a couple of years ago, but yes, it is still listed as available on the Smart Ireland website. 

Here's our review of the car if you're interested.

Expert answer

Hi there,

We certainly have. Read our full and detailed review of the Leapmotor B10 EV here. There's a video review embedded at the end of the article too.

Expert answer

Hi Ger,

No prices as yet, but the Irish media launch of the e Vitara will be towards the end of March, just a few weeks away, which means the car will be available to order imminently.

Once we have Irish prices, we will update our review of the car.

Expert answer

Hi John,

Not all cars are on the Revenue VRT website, unfortunately, so you may have to estimate the car's value in Ireland (i.e. what it might sell for here after importation). Revenue calls that the Open Market Selling Price (OMSP) and it bases its VRT calculations on that and the VRT band the car sits in due to its official CO₂ emissions rating.

On top of that, you will have to pay import duty and VAT and the NOx levy.

I suggest you have a read of these guides, as the same applies to cars coming from Japan:

How Much VRT is Paid in Ireland?
Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained
Guide To Importing Cars From The UK

And this: Guide to buying Japanese imports

Expert answer

Hi Martin,

There are a few options for sure, starting with the plug-in-hybrid Audi A6, if that's not larger than you're looking for. There are plenty around within budget. Most are the less-powerful '50 TFSI e' model, though there are a few sportier editions as well, including the '55 TFSI e' variant. None of them will feel as agile as your BMW, but they're not bad cars at all.

If you've not been put off by your BMW's issues, then the 530e M Sport is a logical next step up. Again, not as agile as the 3 Series, but a fabulous car by any other measure. You could just about afford the Touring estate model as well.

From Mercedes you could get into the C 300 e instead. They're not as common as the others here, but the C-Class is a comparable size to your 330e, yet it has a dramatically more modern interior.

Finally, if you're open to estate cars, the Volvo V60 is an excellent option. It's powerful, great to drive, stylish, well-made and has a decent electric range. It would possibly be the one we'd choose from this selection.

If you want us to help narrow down your search, don't hesitate to come back to us again. Here are a few of our relevant reviews:

Audi A6 50 TFSI e review

BMW 530e review

Volvo V60 review

Expert answer

Hi Pat,

The older one is taxed according to its engine size (and at that it must be the 1.8-litre engine), while the newer is taxed according to its CO₂ emissions rating. The rules changes in 2008.

See our Motor Road Tax Prices In Ireland Explained guide for more.

Expert answer

Hi John,

The amount of VRT you pay depends on a number of factors, and it isn't always possible to estimate the exact figure until the car has been inspected in Ireland. Read our How Much VRT is Paid in Ireland guide to start with and then come back to us with full details of the car if you want us to try to estimate the likely VRT bill.

Expert answer

Hi Alan,

Yes, we've quite a bit of review and test content of the Seal U DM-i already live. Go to the BYD Seal U review page for more.