Drivers can be affected by a number of adjustments, corresponding to a revised commonplace highway tax fee, new electric vehicle (EV) taxes, increased charges for low-emissions autos and a significant hike in first-year charges for these shopping for new autos with very excessive CO2 emissions.
Here’s a breakdown of every part you want to know.
Automotive tax adjustments from April 1
For autos registered between April 1, 2017 and March 31, 2025 the usual yearly highway tax will rise from £190 to £195.
The highway tax exemption for EVs will finish. There can be a £10 first-year tax (sometimes called the showroom tax) for brand new EVs registered after April 1.
A “costly automotive complement” can also be required for any EV that prices greater than £40,000, which provides £425 a yr between the second and sixth years of possession.
The conventional fee highway tax, £195 a yr from April 1, will turn into due on EVs registered between April 1, 2017 and March 31, 2025.
Those that registered their EVs earlier than April 2017 will profit from a decreased annual cost of simply £20.
Moreover, beginning on April 1, various gasoline autos – corresponding to hybrids, bioethanol and liquefied petroleum fuel vehicles – will now not obtain the £10 first-year fee and can go on to the £195 fee.
Electrical vans are additionally not exempt from the changes. They are going to appeal to an annual tax fee of £355, the identical as that of petrol and diesel gentle items autos.
Larger polluting new vehicles
For autos in all different highway tax courses (emitting 76g/km or increased), the first-year cost will treble. This implies a considerable £5,490 tax can be imposed on new vehicles within the highest band (these producing 255g/km or extra) through the first yr of possession.
This high fee will have an effect on vehicles such because the Land Rover Defender V8, the Porsche 911 Turbo and the Bentley Continental W12.
For low-emissions autos with CO2 emissions between one and 50 g/km, the first-year highway tax will rise to £110. Earlier than this variation, plug-in hybrid autos on this class have been exempt from highway tax for the primary yr, whereas homeowners of their petrol and diesel counterparts paid £10.
For brand new vehicles with emissions between 51 and 75 g/km, the first-year highway tax will enhance to £135. Beforehand, vehicles on this class price £20 for hybrids and £30 for petrol and diesel autos.
Figuring out your highway tax duties will be vastly aided by understanding the UK’s car tax band system.
The primary-year showroom tax for brand new automotive consumers can be decided by the car’s CO2 emissions.
For any diesel autos registered from April 1, 2025, will probably be moved up one showroom tax band if it would not adjust to Actual Driving Emissions Step 2 (RDE2) laws.
For vehicles registered from April 1, 2017, you’ll have to pay a standard annual highway tax beginning within the second yr of possession, which can go as much as £195.
Automobiles registered between March 1, 2001 and March 31, 2017 are taxed utilizing 13 emissions-based bands, starting from A to M. And any vehicles registered earlier than March 1, 2001 are taxed based mostly on engine dimension, not emissions.
Electrical vehicles (EVs) and different autos with a listing worth over £40,000 can be topic to an annual surcharge of £425 (for years two to 6), which is a rise from the £410 fee for 2024–2025. This may solely be related to newly registered EVs as of April 1, 2025.
Are any drivers exempt from car excise obligation?
Chances are you’ll qualify for a car tax exemption if you’re a driver with a incapacity. If you happen to obtain the improved fee mobility element of armed forces independence cost (AFIP) or the usual fee mobility element of personal independence payment (PIP), you may also qualify for a 50 per cent car tax discount.
You may additionally be eligible for a car excise obligation exemption in case your car is older than 40 years outdated and you’ll not be obliged to pay highway tax in your automotive if you happen to declare a Statutory Off-Highway Notification (SORN).
