Emissions replace engine size in language of VRT

ANYONE planning to buy a gas-guzzling executive car or a heavy-duty 4x4 will be making their purchase in the first half of the year as less fuel-efficient cars are to be hit with a new green-style Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) from July.

It’s widely expected that sales of diesel cars will soar with the new VRT scheme because of their lower emissions.

According to the Green Party, more than half of new cars sold should have their VRT rates cut under the new scheme, adding that anyone buying a 1.4 litre diesel car will see their VRT bill drop by €1,500 while luxury SUVs will face increases of between €1,000-5,600.