Drivers with this car will have to pay hundreds extra next year

Paul McAuley
·2-min read
Traffic on the M3 motorway
-Credit: (Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)


Drivers who own a certain car have been warned they could be asked to pay more in car tax next year. The warning comes ahead of major changes being introduced to the taxation rules in April 2025.

From spring, drivers who own an electric car will have to pay road tax for the first time. Owners have previously enjoyed the perk of not having to pay, however, the government is changing the rule to bring in more tax revenue, as reported by BirminghamLive.

It comes as the government has reportedly become aware the number of electric cars on the roads is increasing annually. The change will bring electric car drivers into line with everyone else. Most will pay the standard rate of £190 a year. Those with more expensive models will also have to pay a £410 supplement charge.

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Motoring organisation the RAC said: "Electric vehicles (EVs) currently enjoy free road tax (also called Vehicle Excise Duty). However, from April 1, 2025, drivers of electric cars in the UK will need to pay for road tax for the first time.

"The new 2025 VED rules will impact hundreds of thousands of EV owners and their electric vehicle running costs. As well as paying for road tax for the first time, there will also be an expensive car tax supplement for electric cars with a list price that exceeds £40,000.

"Many of the road tax changes will be backdated, which means drivers who have never paid for VED before will be required to do so after April 1, 2025."

The change for electric car will be introduced next year
The change for electric car will be introduced next year -Credit:John Walton/PA Wire

They continued: "New zero-emission cars registered on or after April 1, 2025, will be liable to pay the lowest first-year rate of VED (which applies to vehicles with CO2 emissions 1 to 50g/km) currently £10 a year.

"From the second year of registration onwards, they will move to the standard rate, currently £190 a year. Zero-emission cars first registered between April 1, 2017, and March 31, 2025, will also pay the standard rate.

"The Expensive Car Supplement exemption for electric vehicles is due to end in 2025. New zero-emission cars registered on or after April 1, 2025, will therefore be liable for the Expensive Car Supplement. The Expensive Car Supplement currently applies to cars with a list price exceeding £40,000 for five years and is currently £410 a year.

"This means EV drivers with an 'expensive car' will pay up to £600 a year for road tax."

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