Key Highlights
- Cross border electric car drivers in Northern Ireland seek more detail on new EV tax.
- The new tax for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles will come into effect from April 2028.
- Drivers question how their miles outside of the United Kingdom will be tracked and paid for.
- Experts suggest sat-nav technology could help track the miles accurately.
New EV Tax Sparks Concern Among Cross Border Drivers in Northern Ireland
Cross border electric car drivers in Northern Ireland are calling for more clarity on a new tax that will come into effect from April 2028, as they navigate the complexities of driving between their home and work in the Republic of Ireland. The new policy, announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, introduces a road charge of 3p per mile for electric cars and 1.5p per mile for plug-in hybrids.
The concerns arise because many drivers like Ciarán O’Doherty, who lives just a mile from the border with Donegal, have to cross it countless times each week. “What we need to know is, considering we are so close to Donegal, how will the miles we do outside of the north be taken into account?” he asks, expressing his doubts about tracking and payment mechanisms.
Concessions and Technology Solutions
Speaking on BBC News NI’s Evening Extra programme, motoring journalist Jim McCauley suggests that electronic solutions could provide a fairer method of tracking. “If we go sat-nav, the sat-nav will identify the boundaries as we cross the border,” he explains. “Everyone will know that if you have a sat-nav in the car it will advise you are crossing a border and it will actually define the territory that the owner lives in, so that the money goes to that particular area.”
However, there is still confusion over how these new taxes will work in practice. Mark McCall from the Electric Vehicle Association of Northern Ireland says members have raised questions about measuring miles driven outside the UK. “It’s going to rely on the individual, I guess, with what miles they do,” he adds, highlighting that many drivers are unsure if their out-of-boundary miles will be included in the tax calculation.
Industry Analysis and Future Implications
The introduction of this pay-per-mile scheme is seen as premature by some industry experts. Graeme Thompson from Weev, an electric vehicle charging firm, notes that “the timing is probably disappointing, but not a big surprise in total.” He adds that while the new tax may impact drivers who do a lot of out-of-boundary miles, it could also encourage more people to switch to EVs if they find the cost manageable.
Shane Hagan from Gilford, County Down, describes the new tax as a “slap on the cheek” for electric car drivers. He is concerned that such taxes might discourage others from switching to greener options, especially when considering the current economic climate and rising fuel costs. “It certainly wouldn’t encourage many others to move to EV,” Hagan emphasizes.
Experts agree that while there are challenges with tracking miles driven outside the UK, technological solutions could mitigate some of these issues in the future. As the transition from petrol and diesel cars continues, policymakers will need to address these concerns to ensure a smooth implementation of the new tax regime.
