A number of changes have been implemented in the VRT system, including a car scrappage scheme, and the extension of the VRT exemption for Electric Vehicles and Plug-in Electric Vehicles.
A car scrappage scheme is being introduced with effect from 1 January 2010, to run until 31 December 2010. VRT relief of up to €1,500 will be provided where a car of 10 years or older is scrapped in accordance with certain criteria and a new car of emissions bands A or B (i.e. with CO2 emissions of 140g/km or less) is purchased. Further details on the scrappage scheme are available in Annex F of the annexes to the summary of budget measures which can be accessed here
The existing VRT exemption for series production electric vehicles and the VRT relief of up to €2,500 for series production plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (both of which are due to expire on 31 December 2010) are being extended for two years until 31 December 2012.