Was going to mirror the conversation Boxster EV started for the UK except for the process and steps taken in the Republic of Ireland, what I have dealt with so far and to fine-tune the detail in the Legalities wiki.
Here is the detail from the Wiki:
- Inspection by Automotive Engineer who reviews the placement of key components, integrity of structural components (motor mounts, battery boxes, etc), and weight distribution (use corner scales!). They are primarily interested in answering the question whether the vehicle is safe to put on the road. If the Engineer is unhappy they will request modifications and another inspection is required to verify action has been taken. Once the Engineer is happy they will write a report.
- Written report by Automotive Engineer is delivered in ~7 days.
- The Automotive Engineers report is sent to the Revenue together with form ?? requesting change of taxation class to electric drive.
- Change of taxation class to electric is delivered in ~7 days.
- Tax vehicle (currently €120).
- Test vehicle (NCT).
- Insure Vehicle
The engineers second and final visit was when I had the car pretty much 95% complete. After an hour looking it over, he was happy the work was of satisfactory level and deemed it 'roadworthy'. Once I paid the final inspection fee, I had both his own stamped inspection report plus a 2nd RSA (Road Safety Authority) document, sometimes asked for by the NCT (National Car Test) to back up the work, by the end of the day.
With this done, it was time to get legal! First port of call is insurance as in order for you to tax your car, you need to have an insurance policy number. This is where I find the Wiki differs where it says insuring is the last thing. As the Audi was over 25 years old, I was able to avail of classic car insurance. For third party only the limitations are, no more than 5k miles, can be driven here and there, to shows, to the shops but not for work or to and from the work place. All this, depending on your past history, should work out around €155 for the year. I am unsure as to the insurance situation if your car does not classify as a classic as I had another quote of €1700 for the year from one broker. I think this is something that could be overcome by forming an Irish based EV Conversion club to avail of an affordable premium for more modern EV conversions.
Tax was the next on the list. This so far I have yet to succeed in getting as point 3 is a little vague. I have the engineers report but I am unsure as to what this 'form' is. There is the RF111 Change of Particulars form available from the motor tax website or office but, this has no reference to change of drive train, only change of colour or body type. I called the motor tax office and was met with, we have never heard of anyone ever in the history of the free state ever doing this... we cannot help you... why are you trying to do the state out of motor tax revenue... In fairness, they were very helpful, as much as they could and were willing to find a solution. So, for this step, we just need clarification on what this form is to send back to the Revenue with the engineer's report.
Once I have the car reclassified as an EV, the sooner then I can roll it down to the NCT for its overall roadworthy check, then we are away.
Hope this gives a bit of insight into my route so far for the technical sign off and reclassification of a vehicle. If we could find out the Revenue form required, it would be the final piece of the puzzle to update the Legalities Wiki and get me on the road.
