A businessman wants answers as to why his company is being charged significantly different road tax rates for two almost identical vans.

Premier Flooring, a carpet and vinyl business on Cooil Road, Douglas, is being charged £252 and £616 for the Mercedes-Benz vans that were registered only two years apart.

Director Paul Carson pointed out that the log book of the newest van, registered in the island in 2016, gives information about CO2 emissions unlike the older vehicle, registered here in 2014, which shows nothing in that category.

Mr Carson says that because of this detail the company has to pay a higher road tax rate for the vehicle.

’I’m in a unique position with two identical vans that are only two years apart which are being charged at massively different tax rates,’ he said.

Both vehicles are Mercedes-Benz Sprinter panel vans and have an engine size of 2143cc.

He continued: ’The latest one was bought through a UK contractor and it had CO2 emissions with its log book.

’I went in to tax and register it and I got a £500 tax bill. The older vehicle was only £244.’

Shocked at the price difference, Mr Carson contacted the Department of Infrastructure about the issue at the time of registration, but says he did not receive a reply.

’This year the non-CO2 emission van has gone up by £6 and the CO2 emission van is up by £56,’ he continued.

’It’s not a little bit of difference, it’s a lot. It’s been two years and it should’ve been sorted out.

’The older van probably does the most damage for the environment than the newer one.

’I’m upset. Again, I keep asking why it’s costing me so much. It hurts to pay £616 to tax a van.

’There must be other places with vans with similar issues, but I’m not sure if they’d be as particular as me.

’I’m hoping that someone from the DoI will drop in or ring us up and explain what’s happened,’ he added.

In August last year it was announced a review would be carried out into road tax looking at the disparity between figures based on engine capacity and CO2 emissions.

The DoI is currently processing the results of a recent road tax consultation, which received about 600 around responses.