Motorists across the UK are preparing for changes to the road tax system, which will see many taxed on their vehicles for the first time. Starting April 1, owners of electric cars and low or zero-emission vehicles, who were previously exempt, will now be required to pay.
Some will face a modest £10 tax, while others could see a £195 charge. According to official guidelines, those registering a car after April 1, 2025, will pay the lowest first-year vehicle tax rate of £10.
However, individuals who purchased their electric car between April 1, 2017, and March 31, 2025, will be required to pay the standard rate of £195. Additionally, if you register an electric car priced at £40,000 or more after April 1, you will need to pay the Expensive Car Supplement, which is an extra tax of £410 per year for five years, starting from the second year of ownership.
Annual Tax costs for new electric cars
The values below represent the estimated average tax for cars purchased on or after April 1. For vehicles priced over £40,000, the figures are based on the current expensive car supplement of £425 per year for April 2025, though this amount may change in the future.
Petrol and diesel vehicles
Petrol and diesel vehicles will be taxed according to their CO2 emissions from the time of their first registration. Diesel cars could incur a higher rate if they do not meet the Real Driving Emissions 2 standard for nitrogen oxide emissions, a detail that can be verified with the car manufacturer.
Future tax payments may vary based on the type of vehicle.
Alternative fuel cars
Alternative fuel vehicles, including those powered by bioethanol, liquid petroleum gas, hybrid systems, or other fuels besides petrol, diesel, or electricity, will have their initial tax payment based on their CO2 emissions at registration. These vehicles may see a notable change in tax charges starting from the second payment onwards.