Irish Taxi Forum

Public Area => Taxi Talk => Topic started by: Rat Catcher on March 09, 2026, 03:58:50 pm

Title: ESPSV 26
Post by: Rat Catcher on March 09, 2026, 03:58:50 pm
https://www.nationaltransport.ie/news/espsv26-grant-scheme-fully-subscribed/ (https://www.nationaltransport.ie/news/espsv26-grant-scheme-fully-subscribed/)

Due to the record number of applications, the eSPSV26 Grant Scheme is now fully subscribed. NTA has paused the scheme and will review and process the eligible applications received.

Following assessment of the initial applications, the scheme may reopen later in the year.
Title: Re: ESPSV 26
Post by: John m on March 09, 2026, 04:20:57 pm
So no word yet ? Fucking disgraceful you being willing to put a new motor under your arse .Will you get caught for late renewal if you are not passed out by your Death Date ?
Title: Re: ESPSV 26
Post by: Rat Catcher on March 09, 2026, 05:25:55 pm
Probably but I think they give it back if you ask. Last time the offers were out within a week of applying but, to be fair, they're up to their town halls with other stuff and they've been flooded with applications, €7 millon worth in a couple of weeks. Getting a car within the two months they allow might be the bigger problem. I already know I can't get the one I wanted i.e. ID4 basic spec before June/July. I can't remember if the two months starts from the date you receive the offer or the date you accept it. I know you have 21 days to accept so if that's when the countdown starts there's a bit of scope to stretch it, I guess.
Title: Re: ESPSV 26
Post by: silverbullet on March 09, 2026, 06:53:50 pm
Probably but I think they give it back if you ask. Last time the offers were out within a week of applying but, to be fair, they're up to their town halls with other stuff and they've been flooded with applications, €7 millon worth in a couple of weeks. Getting a car within the two months they allow might be the bigger problem. I already know I can't get the one I wanted i.e. ID4 basic spec before June/July. I can't remember if the two months starts from the date you receive the offer or the date you accept it. I know you have 21 days to accept so if that's when the countdown starts there's a bit of scope to stretch it, I guess.
Once you have the confirmation of the grant, and have ordered a car, they will look favourably at an extension once you provide proof of your order.

I spoke with my contact in Volkswagen and he said that the Pro Plus is coming in very quickly, but there would be a wait until July for the Pro trim.
Title: Re: ESPSV 26
Post by: Rat Catcher on March 10, 2026, 10:37:48 am
The main issue with the Plus trim is that it's €10-11k more than the MGS5. I could probably convince myself (as a VAG fan) that it's worth €2-3k more than the Toyota. It's definitely a better car than the MG but €10k better is a big stretch of the imagination. The other issue is that most adverse reviews seem to focus on software issues (not dissimilar to the MG) and with the Plus spec you're buying more gadgets which means more software so potentially more time in the dealer's workshop.

Last year they weren't entertaining extensions under any circumstances. When you bought yours things were a bit different because there was a lot more money available and it didn't matter if you ran out of time, you could simply apply again. This year, like last year (for the first time), the scheme is fully subscribed so I guess they have to be mindful of men who might have missed out and it could be unfair to let others block availability for all on a level playing field. I wouldn't be comfortable relying on their arbitrary goodwill anyway... getting it done and dusted within the specified time limit is where I want to be.

Title: Re: ESPSV 26
Post by: Rat Catcher on March 10, 2026, 11:08:53 am
When you think about it €10k would probably buy a HV battery for a MGS5... so for the price of an ID4 one could have a brand new MG with a spare battery in the shed!
Title: Re: ESPSV 26
Post by: watty on March 10, 2026, 11:35:35 am
Didn't look at year etc but stg£4,700 will get you a MG5 HV battery up north --> https://evbreakers.com/product?pid=MG+5+HIGH+VOLTAGE+BATTERY+PACK+HV+MODULE+ELECTRIC+STORAGE+EV+61.1kWh&sku=9863

Just don't ask for the front headlights... Yikes!

(https://evbreakers.com/image/eladene/evbreakers/donor_cars/500/377)


Title: Re: ESPSV 26
Post by: mercenary for hire on March 10, 2026, 11:37:23 am
Something to consider RC....
The VW group leccy cars has a Lithium battery that prefers to be charged to 80% where possible.

The MG and some others can be charged to 100% regularly without as much degradation.

Do your research as usual but both batteries have different recommendations for charging AFAIK.

In the real world a 75kwh battery is a smaller usable battery range if it's only getting charged up to 80%.

I'd be interested in what sort of battery degradation the three year old VW group leccy cars have.
Title: Re: ESPSV 26
Post by: Rat Catcher on March 10, 2026, 11:49:41 am
Food for thought, indeed MfH. The fact that Watty exclusively fast charges his MG5 endorses their technology in my mind given that most advice is that fast charging too frequently causes degradation... so I wouldn't really feel the need to keep a spare battery in the shed... even if I could get into the fucking shed!

Loads of MG5s in scrapyards, Watty... probably loads of ID4s as well... very few MGS5s, that's a negative in my mind.... but €10k is a lot of money in my language. My current car cost me less than 12k in total FFS!
Title: Re: ESPSV 26
Post by: watty on March 10, 2026, 11:52:13 am
Give it time.  The MGS5 is only out a few months.  People probably look after their cars for the first few months but they will fukk up  >:D
Title: Re: ESPSV 26
Post by: Rat Catcher on March 10, 2026, 11:54:02 am
Once it ain't me that fucks up... fucking up for us comes with a €17,500 clawback bill. On the bright side, it'd be €20k ifn the Unions stayed away from Ministers and microphones!
Title: Re: ESPSV 26
Post by: mercenary for hire on March 10, 2026, 12:00:45 pm
I justified my EV purchase by knowing it's still worth a few quid after three years.I'm sure it's worth at least 17k now and possibly closer to 20k in today's market.I paid 19.5..All I've bought so far is a few wipers.My tyres were part of a service pack.

You can't really lose RC as the lower fuel bills will cover a significant amount of it's outlay.Reducing the risk  is easier once you've spent small money at the beginning.
Title: Re: ESPSV 26
Post by: silverbullet on March 10, 2026, 03:04:16 pm
44K for the Pro Plus as against circa 40K for the Pro.

You can't compare the VW iD4 with a MG5.

It seems those with deep pockets got in ahead of you with regards to the grant.

They'll have heaps rented out to Asian families for a handsome premium [whether they know it or not].

Do you plan on renting while you make up your mind?
Title: Re: ESPSV 26
Post by: Rat Catcher on March 10, 2026, 03:57:46 pm
It'd be silly not to compare what's available, IMO. 40k for the Pro is a good price, list is €41k but no use if they don't exist! The MG is 34k in white, 7 ton extra for colour. The BZ4X is 42k.

I doubt many got in before me. I had my application submitted within 7 minutes of the scheme opening. They might well get their offers before me but I'm not stuffing any brown envelopes, the deal isn't that good!

I don't intend renting, it'll be a couple of months at the outside. I took two years off for COVID '19 anall and enjoyed every day of it... well except that day I went fishing in a little speedboat and it pissed rain but that's a scale ella!
Title: Re: ESPSV 26
Post by: Belker on March 10, 2026, 04:46:46 pm
... .Will you get caught for late renewal if you are not passed out by your Death Date ?

Probably but I think they give it back if you ask. ...
There is a sliding scale fer late renawals on the NTA website up to 30 days after license expiry.
https://www.nationaltransport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Guide-G2-Renewing-an-SPSV-Licence.pdf (https://www.nationaltransport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Guide-G2-Renewing-an-SPSV-Licence.pdf)

Most of what I can see on the NTA website is an extra €350 on top of the regular €150 fer late renewals and add on another €45 if late change of vehicle, but if under 30 days late you get some sort of refund as in €250 refund if under 10 days late and €150 refund if under 30 days late.
Title: Re: ESPSV 26
Post by: Belker on March 10, 2026, 05:10:49 pm
@ Rat Catcher; FTR, I bought my nua Skoda on Mon 25th Jan (which was already in the process of being built and had been painted in Grey) and it was delivered/handovered on Wed 4th March which was about 6 weeks from Bought to Delivered.
Title: Re: ESPSV 26
Post by: Rat Catcher on March 10, 2026, 05:12:25 pm
I think there's a procedure to get a full refund if you can prove hardship. Unemployed with no entitlement to welfare must constitute hardship, I guess!

Even 6 weeks is cutting it fine when you're relying on a handout that comes with a 2 month deadline. When did you have to part with the full purchase price?
Title: Re: ESPSV 26
Post by: Belker on March 10, 2026, 05:23:31 pm
I think there's a procedure to get a full refund if you can prove hardship. Unemployed with no entitlement to welfare must constitute hardship, I guess!

Even 6 weeks is cutting it fine when you're relying on a handout that comes with a 2 month deadline. When did you have to part with the full purchase price?
Would ya be bothered jumping through all the hoops fer the refund ??

Dealer only asked fer a Monkee deposit when I bought it in Jan.
Paid full price on Delivery/handover in March.
Title: Re: ESPSV 26
Post by: Rat Catcher on March 10, 2026, 05:26:50 pm
It's me you're typing to, Ken. Of course I'd be bothered!

I once had a chain of c.36 emails with Free Now to recover 15c commission when I had to input a fare of €1.00 to clear a non-payer job. In fact, they were so appreciative of my tenacity that they ended up giving me the lost fare as well, commission free!
Title: Re: ESPSV 26
Post by: Belker on March 10, 2026, 05:37:57 pm
It's me you're typing to, Ken. Of course I'd be bothered!
I see your point and indeed I did reluctantly jump through all the hoops myself to get the once off Free NTA Motor tax refund during Covid, just because it was NTA !