New car tax updates set to come into effect this April were previously branded a “slap in the face” for UK motorists. A frustrated councillor blasted planned updates to Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) fees which will see electric car owners affected.
Up until now, those with the keys to zero-emission EVs have been exempt from any road tax fees with the discount seen as a major incentive to switch. However, this is set to change from April 1 with the Government opting to charge electric models for the first time. Over the summer, Glen Sanderson, the leader of Conservative-led Northumberland County Council hit back at the new charges.
Glen explained: “For many, the free road tax was the incentive to go for an electric car.
“The previous government deliberately did not change this tax to help the UK on its green promises. This is a slap in the face for climate change, and for all those who bought electric cars.”
Those with the keys to zero-emission models will be moved to the standard VED rate which is set to stand at £195 from the Spring.
However, Expensive Car Supplement (ECS) rules mean owners of models listed at over £40,000 will face an extra £ 425 fee.
Analysis from experts at Alphabet previously determined as many as 80% of electric models on UK streets may be over the cut-off.
These two fees added together mean that many electric car owners are set to be hit with annual bills of up to £620 within less than two weeks.
The move to charge electric models to use the road for the first time is nothing new. The previous Conservative Government announced the legislation back in 2022.
A Treasury spokesperson previously commented: “We are committed to supporting our automotive sector as we transition to electric vehicles in order to meet our legally binding climate targets.”
However, the RAC warned motorists to never forget to tax their vehicle every year, Failure to comply with the rules could see motorists penalised with fines ranging up to £2,500.
The RAC commented: “Yes, almost all vehicles need to have been road taxed in order to drive on UK roads – including electric vehicles (EVs).
“However, electric car drivers currently do not need to pay anything to tax their vehicle and the annual VED is provided free of charge. In 2025, that will change.”