A Guide To Buying A Car Or Van

Transcription

A Guide to
Buying a Car or Van
In this guide, aimed at companies and fleets, we list the important factors to take into account
when specifying the vehicle you need for the job. Checklists are included to help you.
NUMBER HERE?
Summary
Choosing vehicles for your business is a complex process. Comfort,
When comparing one car or van against another, always consider
image, branding suitability, and even emotional factors need to be
whole life costs: useful figures are available from the manufacturers
considered alongside the vehicle’s ability to do the job, its price and
and from independent websites such as AA Ireland or Fleet
running costs.
Transport – www.fleet.ie
If your choice of vehicle uses 12L/100km (23.5 MPG) and your
As reduced CO2 emissions are directly related to reduced fuel
intended use is 50,000km per annum, factor in the savings possible
consumption and costs. This shows a car (2.5L rated – 239g/km)
if you chose a vehicle capable of 10L/100km (28 MPG): At €1.21 per
outputting 9.6 tonnes of CO2 per year, next to a house emitting 9
litre of diesel, you will save €1,000 per annum exclusive of VAT.
tonnes, next to another car (rated 180g/km) emitting 7.6 tonnes CO2
per year.
Emits 9 tonnes of CO2 per year
Emits 9.6 tonnes of CO2 per year
Emits 7.6 tonnes of CO2 per year
WHOLE LIFE COSTS
There are many factors to include in your purchase decision, this
You can find tables of running costs in fleet management magazines.
document focuses on energy efficiency and those features that
Remember to ask around for recommendations.
impact on fuel efficiency,
www.change.ie/en/Personal-Actions-II/Transport/
VRT-Car-labelling
Running costs include your fuel, servicing your vehicles, road tax and
insurance, breakdown cover, replacing tyres and yearly MOTs.
www.aaireland.ie
www.simi.ie
SEI – How clean is your car:
www.sei.ie/Your_Home/How_Clean_is_Your_Car_
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CHOOSING A NEW VEHICLE
It’s essential that you work out how the new vehicle will contribute to
Remember – it’s now a legal requirement for your vehicle supplier to
your business.
tell you the CO2 ratings for cars so ask for CO2 ratings for each vehicle
Do you need to purchase a new vehicle, or can you manage your
Also ask your vehicle supplier for fuel combined cycle
existing fleet more efficiently?
consumption figures (NEDC – New European Drive Cycle).
Where would the new vehicle fit in to the existing fleet?
Talk to your drivers and contacts in the industry to get
their opinions.
List your business needs, to ensure that you can justify the
Work out fuel costs over the lifetime of the vehicle.
expense of a new vehicle and to ensure it is used efficiently.
Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT)
Vehicle Registration Tax is now based on CO2 emissions, rather than
engine size. This new system was introduced in 2008 and it rates
vehicles in the same way as home appliances. In the table below you
will see the banding system for the Irish scheme.
IRISH VEHICLE REGISTRATION TAX BANDS
VRT Category
For further information, please follow this link: Vehicle Road Tax,
Co2 EMISSION FIGURE (g/km)
A Rated
0 – 120g/km
B Rated
121 – 140g/km
C Rated
141 – 155g/km
D Rated
156 – 170g/km
E Rated
171 – 190g/km
F Rated
191 – 225g/km
G Rated
226g/km and over
www.change.ie/en/Personal-Actions-II/Transport/
VRT-Car-labelling
www.sei.ie/Your_Home/How_Clean_is_Your_Car_/
VRT_Information
Zero rated Electric cars & motorcycles
When buying a car or van, check its VRT category.
Cars with lower emissions pay less tax.
Compare your fuel sources – choosing a petrol car with emissions of
180g/km puts the car into category E. If you chose a biofuel vehicle
instead your emissions could be reduced, placing you in category D.
Don’t forget, electric cars are zero rated.
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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Increasingly companies are concerned about their carbon
Driving a typical 2.5L executive car outputs approx. 9.6 tonne of
footprint. You can reduce your carbon footprint by reducing
CO2 per year – more than the average Irish home which emits 9
your energy usage in the form of petrol and diesel. You can also
tonne (Reference SEI).
reduce your carbon footprint by choosing different fuels.
Instead – choosing a vehicle based on a lower CO2 rating (i.e. a
Many of your employees may shop regularly for organic food.
rating of 180g/km rather than 239g/km) can reduce your CO2
They may be aware of concepts such as food miles, but may
output by over 2 tonne per year. Making the decision to use
not be so aware of the impact of their own car use, or of your
a car that has lower emissions also changes your vehicle’s VRT
company’s travel and transport miles.
Rating from G to E.
Petrol and Diesel
LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) and CNG (Compressed
Diesel engines are more efficient than petrol engines, and
Natural Gas).
produce less CO2. They also emit less carbon monoxide (CO) and
hydrocarbons (HC) than the same car running on petrol. Diesel
As of January 2009, some of these vehicles qualify for
engines do emit greater levels of nitrogen oxide (NOx) and soot
Accelerated Capital Allowances, offering significant discount in
than new petrol cars or vans.
capital costs.
When buying vehicles that use alternative fuels, the options are:
Talk to your accountant and consult www.sei.ie/aca when
Biofuels: Please refer to the SEI Guide to Biofuels.
planning your purchase.
Electric Vehicles: Please refer to the SEI Guide to
Electric Vehicles.
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Conclusion
Talk to your drivers and contacts in the industry to get
There are many factors to look at before you decide which
their opinions.
vehicle to buy. Taking time over the right decision will save you
money in the long run.
Work out fuel costs over the lifetime of the vehicle.
Do you need to purchase a new vehicle, or can you manage
When buying a car or van, check its VRT rating.
your existing fleet more efficiently?
Cars with lower emissions pay less tax.
Where would the new vehicle fit in to the existing fleet?
Compare your fuel sources – choosing a petrol car with
List your business needs, to ensure that you can justify the
emissions of 180g/km puts you into category E. If you chose
expense of a new vehicle and to ensure it is used efficiently.
a bio fuel vehicle instead, your emissions could be reduced,
Ask your supplier for CO2 ratings for each vehicle.
placing you in category D.
Don’t forget, electric cars are zero rated.
Also ask your vehicle supplier for fuel combined cycle
consumption figures (NEDC – New European Drive Cycle),
so you can compare vehicles.
Short Vehicle Checklist for
Energy Savings:
Look for a good aerodynamic shape, although this should
Look out for:
be reflected in lower emissions rating.
A low emissions rating, and a low VRT and Road Tax rating.
A manual or automated manual gearbox ( also known as a
Reduced fuel consumption figures that go directly with
Double Clutch or by manufacturers own branding such as
low emissions.
‘DSG’, ‘Tiptronic’ etc).
Consider fuel choice: Diesel emits less CO2 than petrol and
Cruise control.
therefore costs less to run.
Tyre pressure monitors.
Minimise vehicle weight and size: choose the smallest and
And finally … don’t forget to road test before you buy; measure
lightest vehicle that meets your needs.
fuel usage brim to brim if you can.
GVW: (Gross Vehicle Weight):
Gross total weight of a loaded vehicle, including payload. Lighter
UK Vehicle Energy Ratings:
vehicles are always more fuel efficient because they have less
www.smmt.co.uk/CO2/co2search.cfm
weight to pull.
www.smmt.co.uk
Payload
Irish equivalent:
www.simi.ie
The maximum weight/amount of goods or people that a vehicle
Vehicle Road Tax:
can carry.
www.change.ie/en/Personal-Actions-II/Transport/VRTCar-labelling
Links
SEI How clean is your car:
AA Ireland:
www.sei.ie/Your_Home/How_Clean_is_Your_Car_
www.aaireland.ie
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General Vehicle Checklist for
Buying Cars and Vans

Service records
Price, finance deals, insurance group, road tax and
running costs.
Fuel type/CO2 output/emissions ratings/fuel

Satellite navigation.

Vehicle tracking systems.
Safety features: airbags, visibility
consumption figures

Peak torque (revs), identify peak torque points for max
ABS (Automatic Braking System)/EBA (Electronic Brake
Assist).
pulling power.

Security: alarm fitted, engine immobiliser, central locking.
Make & model, type of vehicle i.e. minibus, pick up, 4x4,

Power steering & manoeuvrability.

Tyre pressure monitor.

Build quality.

Front or rear wheel drive.

Aerodynamics: roof rack, open load area, light bars and
microvan, panel van.

Engine (cc), Power (bhp), Torque (lb-ft).

Wheelbase (mm), Load length (mm).

Load width (mm), Load height (mm), Load vol (cu m).

Rear doors (type).

GVW: Gross Vehicle Weight (kg).

Idling revs once engine warm.

Payload (kg).

Auxiliary power – is it needed?

Tow braked (kg).

Refrigeration units.

Depreciation.

Mileage (if not new).

Versatility.

Reliability.

Comfort (driving position and suspension).

Interior features: air conditioning, cruise control etc.
bull bars.
For more information refer to SEI’s other Transport Energy Guides, visit www.sei.ie/business
Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland
Glas Naíon, Baile Átha Cliath 9, Eireann
T. +353 1 808 2100
F. +353 1 837 2848
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info@sei.ie
www.sei.ie