2025 UK Road Tax: EVs Pay £2,050; High-Emission Cars Now £5,490

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The UK government will introduce major Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) changes from April 1, 2025, which will apply to all drivers, including owners of electric vehicles (EVs).

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New car first-year road tax charges will be doubled for cars with 76g/km or more of CO₂, with high-emission and high-end cars hit the hardest.

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Vehicles producing more than 256g/km of CO₂ will have their first-year tax go up from £2,745 to £5,490, a steep rise of £2,745.

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Ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) will also be affected, with first-year tax for cars producing 1-50g/km CO₂ going up from £10 to £110 (1000% rise).

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Electric vehicles will for the first time be subject to tax, in line with the government's policy that all road users should pay VED.

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EVs with a price tag over £40,000 will also attract the Expensive Car Supplement (ECS), costing an extra £410 per year for five years, amounting to an additional £2,050.

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Auto Express estimates that 70% of battery-powered vehicles in the UK cost over £40,000 and will be hit by the ECS charge.

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To put off these new charges, EV owners can change their annual renewal date to March 2025, delaying further charges for up to a year.

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These tax reforms are intended to establish a more equitable system in which all car owners pay towards road upkeep and infrastructure expenses.

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Drivers need to check their car tax liability and explore possible cost-saving measures before the reforms come into force.

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