All drivers in England face 'additional charge' with 'less than year to prepare'

Car tax changes will see all UK drivers slapped with an "additional" charge and there is "less than a year to prepare". Electric car drivers will be subject to Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) from next year with cars taxed based on their emissions output.

Greg Wilson, founder and CEO of Quotezone.co.uk said: “Any current EV driver, or motorist who is planning on purchasing a zero-emissions vehicle must ensure they are aware of the upcoming additional charges they will face.

“Currently EVs are exempt from paying VED but drivers now have less than a year to prepare for the new charges which will be coming into place from April 1, 2025.” Wilson added: “These road tax charges will be affecting all current and future electric vehicle drivers.

READ MORE Venice issues strict new rules for UK tourists and locals say 'you're joking'

“It’s important for anyone planning to buy a zero-emissions car to know what they will be expected to pay in less than a year’s time and factor these changes into their decision-making process.” Andy Wood from Tax Natives explained how the “structured approach” to taxes aims to foster sustainability and fairness by ensuring that all vehicle owners pay their equal contribution.

He stated: “The tax system encourages responsible vehicle ownership by imposing additional charges on higher-value vehicles and aligns with broader environmental objectives." The Department for Transport previously said: "Removing the VED exemption from April 2025 will marginally reduce the incentive to switch to electric vehicles, but the impact should be minimal given the marginal cost of VED compared to the overall cost of a vehicle."

And they further commented in a statement ahead of the proposed petrol and diesel ban coming in 2035: "The government has also announced the continuation of incentives for electric vehicles through company car tax, which will likely continue to be effective in incentivising EV take up, and investment in chargepoint infrastructure."