The DVLA expects to rake in billions of pounds from car tax contributions next year which will go to the Treasury as electric cars begin paying their fair share of Vehicle Excise Duty.
In company accounts analysed by GB News, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is expected to raise around £8billion in revenue from taxes in the next financial year.
With the Vehicle Excise Duty threshold increasing, not only are drivers now having to pay more, but from next year electric car users will also be forced to pay.
The agency explained that the “significant increase” in revenue expected next year is due to the change in VED policy.
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DVLA made £7.3billion in revenue for VED last year
GETTYFrom April 2025, the ‘Band A’ first-year rate for zero-emission vehicles will be removed, along with the Expensive Car Supplement exemption for EVs with a list price over £40,000 registered after April 2025.
Meanwhile, VED due from the second year of registration will be “equalised” for all vehicles including the removal of the £10 discount for “alternatively fuelled” vehicles.
The amount of money raised in VED revenue for the period 2022/23 was £7.3billion a 2.8 per cent increase from £7.1billion in 2021/22.
VED is a tax which must be paid for most types of vehicles used, or kept on public roads in the UK. It is paid directly into the Consolidated Fund.
The DVLA detailed how under the new arrangements, which apply to all electric vehicles regardless of registration date from 1 April 2025, zero emission vehicles will no longer be exempt from VED.
Electric vehicles will be charged at the 1-50g/km first-year rate in VED and will be charged the same rate as both petrol and diesel cars from the second year of registration onwards.
The DVLA stated: “The Expensive Car Supplement exemption for Electric Vehicles will also be withdrawn.
“The Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts that revenue will now continue rising from 2024/25 into 2027/28".
The agency explained that since 2017, VED due in the first year for a new car has been based on CO2 emissions and fuel type.
Electric cars have so far been exempted from paying the levy in a bid to help UK drivers make the switch.
But as sales for EVs continue to rise, driver backlash and an interest in raising funds have meant that electric cars will now have to pay the same rate.
Greg Wilson, founder and CEO of Quotezone.co.uk said: “These road tax charges will be affecting all current and future electric vehicle drivers.
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Since 2017, VED has been based on CO2 emissions and fuel type
GETTY“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.”