Irish Motor Tax Calculator
Enter your car CO2 emissions to estimate annual motor tax.
Irish Motor Tax by CO2
Motor tax for cars registered in Ireland since 2008 is charged by CO2 emissions, from EUR120 for the cleanest cars up to EUR2,400 for the highest emitters. This is separate from VRT, which is a one-off registration tax.
Motor Tax vs VRT
- VRT: one-off tax paid when first registering
- Motor Tax: annual road tax paid every year
- Both: based partly on CO2 emissions
Motor Tax Examples
Small petrol (95g CO2)
EUR120/year
Family diesel (130g CO2)
EUR270/year
Performance (200g CO2)
EUR1,250/year
Electric (0g CO2)
EUR120/year
How Motor Tax Bands Work in Ireland
Motor tax in Ireland is an annual charge you pay every year to keep a car on the road. Since 2008, it's based entirely on CO2 emissions for cars. The system uses fixed euro amounts tied to emission ranges, not percentages like VRT. The lowest band covers cars emitting 0–120 g/km and costs €120 per year. The highest band — cars emitting over 2,400 g/km — costs €2,400 per year. Between those extremes there are 16 bands in total, with each step adding roughly €100–€200 to the annual bill.
The key difference between motor tax and VRT is how they're applied. VRT is a one-off tax you pay when you first register a car in Ireland. It's calculated as a percentage of the vehicle's value, so a €50,000 car costs more in VRT than a €20,000 car even if both have the same CO2. Motor tax, on the other hand, is the same fixed amount every year regardless of what the car cost. A €100,000 Mercedes and a €15,000 Toyota both pay the same motor tax if they produce the same CO2 figure. That's why motor tax is often a simpler comparison when you're weighing running costs.
Worked Examples
Here are some common scenarios: a Toyota Corolla Hybrid producing 95 g/km CO2 falls into the lowest band at €120 per year. A Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI at 130 g/km sits in the 1,201–1,300 g/km bracket and costs €270 per year. A BMW 5 Series diesel at 155 g/km lands in the 1,501–1,600 range at €600 per year. A performance car like a Porsche Cayenne at 250 g/km hits the top band at €2,400 per year. Over five years, the difference between the Toyota and the Porsche is €11,400 in motor tax alone — before you even add fuel, insurance, or VRT.
If you're importing a car, motor tax kicks in once you complete registration. The rate is based on the CO2 figure on your WLTP certificate, so double-check it before you commit. Use our calculator above to estimate your annual bill, and check our VRT vs motor tax comparison for a full breakdown of both costs together.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is motor tax calculated in Ireland?
For cars registered since 2008, motor tax is based on CO2 emissions, from EUR120 to EUR2,400 per year.
Is motor tax the same as VRT?
No. VRT is a one-off registration tax; motor tax is the annual road tax you pay every year.
Do electric cars pay motor tax?
Electric cars pay the lowest band, EUR120 per year.