To: The Minister for Finance
Increase Sales Tax on Heavy Vehicles
We propose a progressive surcharge on the sale of new non-commercial heavy vehicles, similar to the "Malus Masse" weight tax levied in France with the purpose of cutting road deaths, reducing our energy usage/carbon footprint and freeing up road-space for children and for better public transit.
Proposed Surcharge Tiers:
- Petrol/Diesel Vehicles:
- Threshold: Over 1,700 kg curb weight.
- Surcharge: €15 per additional kilogram.
- Hybrid (HEV) and Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) Vehicles:
- Threshold: Over 1,800 kg curb weight.
- Surcharge: €10 per additional kilogram.
- Fully Electric Vehicles (BEV):
- Threshold: Over 1,900 kg curb weight (A higher threshold to account for necessary battery weight).
- Surcharge: €5 per additional kilogram (The lowest rate to encourage the switch to electric, still a charge to account for energy/manufacturing footprint).
For more information, check our petition here: https://www.equityeire.ie/petition
Why is this important?
Statistics from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry indicate that over 50% of new petrol and diesel cars, bought in 2023, were SUVs [1].
Environment:
According to the Financial Times, sales of SUVs in Ireland have risen dramatically and are now amongst the highest in the EU [2]. These vehicles, largely driven in urban areas, contribute disproportionately to greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and traffic congestion. Their larger size and weight result in increased fuel consumption and road wear, further exacerbating these issues. Their electric counterparts, due to their excessive size are contributing to global shortages of critical metals such as lithium, causing significant environmental degradation & reshaping global politics.
Road Safety:
Crash data from Belgium from 2017 to 2021 also shows that a 10cm increase in the height of vehicle fronts raises the risk of death by 30% when a car hits a pedestrian or cyclist, according to a study by the Vias Institute, previously the Belgian Institute for Road Safety. The study also illustrated that the risk of fatal injury to drivers involved in road accidents with these vehicles is also higher[3]. In Europe, the average width of new passenger cars increased by about 10 cm since the early 2000s, while average weight has climbed by over 200 kg[4].
By imposing an additional VRT on the sale of non-commercial heavy vehicles, we can encourage manufacturers to stop increasing the size of their cars, and incentivize consumers to choose more environmentally friendly options, such as smaller, more fuel-efficient cars or public transportation. This would help to reduce our carbon footprint, meet our legally binding climate targets and improve air quality. A higher VRT on heavy non-commercial vehicles is a necessary and effective measure to protect our environment and promote sustainable transportation and public health improvements.
“The Irish transport system is car dependent by design, is high in greenhouse gas emissions and does not support improved well-being.” — OECD 2022 report
Public Health Risks: Cancer and Air Pollution
Exhaust fumes from petrol and diesel vehicles are a major source of air pollution, particularly nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and particulate matter (PM), both of which have been linked to serious health conditions. The World Health Organization classifies diesel exhaust as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning it is a known cause of cancer in humans, particularly lung cancer. Children, the elderly, and those with existing health conditions are especially vulnerable. SUVs, due to their larger engines and higher fuel consumption, emit more pollutants than smaller vehicles. Reducing the number and size of these vehicles on our roads could significantly decrease pollution-related illnesses and healthcare costs, and help cut road deaths whilst improving overall public health—especially in densely populated urban areas.
Promoting Equity: By taxing non-commercial vehicles that disproportionately contribute to emissions, a sales weight tax could create a more equitable system where the costs of environmental damage are more fairly distributed between urban and rural dwellers. This could free up resources for other groups such as farmers to be rewarded for investing in sustainable practices. We propose that the revenue collected be directed into improving nationwide public transit as well as better connectivity and parking options for rural communities. Different solutions for different places.
Environment:
According to the Financial Times, sales of SUVs in Ireland have risen dramatically and are now amongst the highest in the EU [2]. These vehicles, largely driven in urban areas, contribute disproportionately to greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and traffic congestion. Their larger size and weight result in increased fuel consumption and road wear, further exacerbating these issues. Their electric counterparts, due to their excessive size are contributing to global shortages of critical metals such as lithium, causing significant environmental degradation & reshaping global politics.
Road Safety:
Crash data from Belgium from 2017 to 2021 also shows that a 10cm increase in the height of vehicle fronts raises the risk of death by 30% when a car hits a pedestrian or cyclist, according to a study by the Vias Institute, previously the Belgian Institute for Road Safety. The study also illustrated that the risk of fatal injury to drivers involved in road accidents with these vehicles is also higher[3]. In Europe, the average width of new passenger cars increased by about 10 cm since the early 2000s, while average weight has climbed by over 200 kg[4].
By imposing an additional VRT on the sale of non-commercial heavy vehicles, we can encourage manufacturers to stop increasing the size of their cars, and incentivize consumers to choose more environmentally friendly options, such as smaller, more fuel-efficient cars or public transportation. This would help to reduce our carbon footprint, meet our legally binding climate targets and improve air quality. A higher VRT on heavy non-commercial vehicles is a necessary and effective measure to protect our environment and promote sustainable transportation and public health improvements.
“The Irish transport system is car dependent by design, is high in greenhouse gas emissions and does not support improved well-being.” — OECD 2022 report
Public Health Risks: Cancer and Air Pollution
Exhaust fumes from petrol and diesel vehicles are a major source of air pollution, particularly nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and particulate matter (PM), both of which have been linked to serious health conditions. The World Health Organization classifies diesel exhaust as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning it is a known cause of cancer in humans, particularly lung cancer. Children, the elderly, and those with existing health conditions are especially vulnerable. SUVs, due to their larger engines and higher fuel consumption, emit more pollutants than smaller vehicles. Reducing the number and size of these vehicles on our roads could significantly decrease pollution-related illnesses and healthcare costs, and help cut road deaths whilst improving overall public health—especially in densely populated urban areas.
Promoting Equity: By taxing non-commercial vehicles that disproportionately contribute to emissions, a sales weight tax could create a more equitable system where the costs of environmental damage are more fairly distributed between urban and rural dwellers. This could free up resources for other groups such as farmers to be rewarded for investing in sustainable practices. We propose that the revenue collected be directed into improving nationwide public transit as well as better connectivity and parking options for rural communities. Different solutions for different places.
How it will be delivered
We will deliver the petition in person to:
Department of Finance
Government Buildings
Upper Merrion Street
Dublin 2
Ireland