Motorists living in rural areas could end up paying more than city dwellers in Ireland under a proposed shake-up to car tax.
The changes would see car tax charged on distant travelled which would target motorists in rural areas that have to travel further distances.
An AA spokesperson has warned motorists in rural areas that if the changes are approved then they could face paying more.
Barry Aldworth, senior media officers with AA Ireland, said: “The Government needs to think long and hard before it makes these changes,” said Mr Aldworth.
“We know that as Ireland goes more electric there is going to be a tax shortfall which needs to be addressed but our concerns is distance charging would hit those living in rural communities harder.
“Because of the history of under investment in rural transport in this country people have become more reliant on their private cars and they’ll be punished.”
The new system would essentially be based on how much fuel a person uses with people that use more pay more.
This scheme is just one of many being considered by the Government.
It hopes that any changes will not affect the revenue generated from tax as there is a push to lower emissions travel.
Motorists are still incentivised and encouraged to purchase a lower emissions car.
These cars are offered with lower annual motor tax and lower vehicle registration taxes.
Mr Aldworth has questioned how the new system would work and how drivers could be charged.
“Right now collecting tax is easy, people just pay at the pump. But how would distance charging work? Would people self-report how far they’ve driven?”
“It could be a tiered system whereby if you’re driving in an urban area with alternative forms of transport you would pay more per mile than in a rural area.”
“Our main message to the Government is they need to get the right people around the table.
“We’d love to be involved and they need to get stakeholders from across the motoring industry involved to create a system that actually works.”
