VRT increases should be paused until impact on carbon emissions is established — ICCRA

The latest changes will add 'at least' €1,000 to the average price of a car

Electric vehicles "have not escaped" the price hikes. Picture: Larry Cummins

The Government should defer the introduction of the proposed increases in Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) announced in Budget 2021 until a comprehensive analysis of their impact on carbon emissions is undertaken.

That's according to The Irish Car Carbon Reduction Alliance (ICCRA), which represents the majority of new car dealers, have claimed the new measures are likely to lead to an increase, rather than a reduction in car carbon emissions, as well as negatively affecting sales of all new cars, including electric vehicles.