From April 1, UK motorists will face significant tax changes, with electric vehicle (EV) owners among those most affected. The Expensive Car Supplement (ECS), previously exempting EVs, will now apply to cars priced over £40,000, adding an extra financial burden of up to £2,125 over five years.
The move comes as part of a broader reform to the Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves. Experts argue the threshold for luxury car tax is outdated, failing to reflect current vehicle prices, particularly in the EV market.
Electric Vehicle Owners Face New Tax Burden
From next month, electric vehicle owners will be subject to the same VED charges as petrol and diesel cars, a shift from the previous tax exemption. Cars with a list price exceeding £40,000 will incur an additional £425 annual charge for five years under the Expensive Car Supplement.
According to Jon Lawes, Managing Director at Novuna Vehicle Solutions, this policy change does not account for inflation or the rising costs of EVs. Speaking to GB News, he described the tax as “no longer fit for purpose,” as many mid-range family EVs now exceed the £40,000 threshold.
Lawes highlighted that of the 1,000 EV models launched since 2022, nearly two-thirds fall into the luxury tax category, despite being standard family cars. He urged the government to review the ECS threshold, arguing that it does not align with today’s vehicle market.
Government Aims to Raise Revenue Amid Declining Fuel Duty
The changes are expected to generate over £500 million annually, partially offsetting the declining revenue from fuel duty, which remains frozen at 5p per litre until 2026. In addition to the ECS charge, new EVs will pay £10 in first-year VED and £195 annually from the second year onwards.
Vehicles registered between March 2001 and March 2017 will see an annual charge of £20, while hybrid and alternatively fuelled cars will lose their £10 annual tax discount.
Despite the tax increase, EVs continue to attract strong consumer interest. According to Novuna Vehicle Solutions, 80% of new car orders placed through the company are electric. Lawes noted that salary sacrifice schemes and lower Benefit-In-Kind rates still make EVs an appealing choice despite the additional tax burden.
Fleet managers, however, are concerned about the financial impact on company car schemes. With a large proportion of EVs now falling into the luxury tax bracket, businesses may reconsider the cost-effectiveness of electric fleets under the revised tax regime.
