BEV & Disabled Driver

Johnboy1951

A friend asked if I knew anything about the situation regarding disabled drivers.

Apparently DDs get VRT (&VAT?) relief on vehicles purchased and adapted for their use.

As the most of this refund is already covered by the present rebate scheme for BEVs, he wondered if something was in place to help him buy a BEV (due to change early next year apparently).

Anyone got information I could pass on?

Thanks.

I found nothing in my searches, which implies to me that DDs are more encouraged to use ICE cars than BEVs.

KCross

I dont know anything about it but a quick google of revenue website...
https://www.revenue.ie/en/importing-vehicles-duty-free-allowances/documents/vrt/vrt7.pdf

It covers VAT and VRT it seems, but the fact that €5k VRT is already out of the equation it makes it a little less enticing to go BEV since they are more expensive even with the €5k already removed. And presumably the fuel element of the scheme would be foregone as well as they only refer to petrol/diesel/lpg so clearly this scheme needs updating for disabled drivers.

Having said that, there is still plenty scope for saving with getting some VAT back and the running costs would be lower anyway. Would make for a very affordable EV if you can get upto €10k VAT back.


What does your friend drive today and is there a BEV he is interested in that could be modified to be approved for this scheme?

unkel

It makes more financial sense to get an ICE as the free VAT and VRT effectively mean that you can buy a brand new car every 2 years and then sell it on for what you paid for it. Free car!

Johnboy1951

unkel wrote: »

It makes more financial sense to get an ICE as the free VAT and VRT effectively mean that you can buy a brand new car every 2 years and then sell it on for what you paid for it. Free car!

That is how it appears to me.

KCross wrote: »

I dont know anything about it but a quick google of revenue website...
https://www.revenue.ie/en/importing-vehicles-duty-free-allowances/documents/vrt/vrt7.pdf

It covers VAT and VRT it seems, but the fact that €5k VRT is already out of the equation it makes it a little less enticing to go BEV since they are more expensive even with the €5k already removed. And presumably the fuel element of the scheme would be foregone as well as they only refer to petrol/diesel/lpg so clearly this scheme needs updating for disabled drivers.

Having said that, there is still plenty scope for saving with getting some VAT back and the running costs would be lower anyway. Would make for a very affordable EV if you can get upto €10k VAT back.


What does your friend drive today and is there a BEV he is interested in that could be modified to be approved for this scheme?

It might make an affordable BEV but nothing near as affordable as an ICE it seems.
He was driving a Golf, but maybe he changed and I never noticed as he had been speaking about Octavia.

Thanks for the responses ..... just wanted to make sure my reading of things was correct ...... and it seems ye both agree that the benefits from driving an ICE are greater than driving a BEV for him.

KCross

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

Thanks for the responses ..... just wanted to make sure my reading of things was correct ...... and it seems ye both agree that the benefits from driving an ICE are greater than driving a BEV for him.

ICE might be better financially but there might not be much in it tbh.

A new BEV with some of the VAT off would likely hold its value as good or better than a new ICE, so its hard to tell.

You'd need to get some like for like quotes I suppose.


And there is the intangible element of it.... maybe he'd be happier in a BEV? Certainly nicer and easier to drive which might be a consideration for him...depends on the disability I suppose.

Johnboy1951

KCross wrote: »

ICE might be better financially but there might not be much in it tbh.

A new BEV with some of the VAT off would likely hold its value as good or better than a new ICE, so its hard to tell.

You'd need to get some like for like quotes I suppose.


And there is the intangible element of it.... maybe he'd be happier in a BEV? Certainly nicer and easier to drive which might be a consideration for him...depends on the disability I suppose.

The 'intangibles' are up to him ..... I won't get involved there

As none of us found anything specific relating to BEVs and DDs, that is about as much as I can do for him.
He can do his own calculations on running costs etc. and make a decision based on his own needs and wishes.
I won't be expressing an opinion either way.

kanuseeme

Maybe a PHEV?