UK motorists set to pay thousands more in road tax | Tech News

An automotive knowledgeable has urged drivers to brace for larger motoring prices as Chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares to make her first Spring Budget.

While the Labour Party’s first Autumn Budget in 17 years noticed a quantity of measures affecting motorists, some have anticipated that the Chancellor’s subsequent announcement will help to pave the best way for a more eco-friendly road system.

Richard Evans, spokesperson for webuyanycar, famous that the assertion to the House of Commons will come simply days earlier than road tax is set to rise for nearly all autos on the roads.

He defined: “From April 2025, road tax is predicted to increase for each vehicle. The goal is to encourage more lower-emission and electric vehicles on the road. The road tax increase is thought to impact over 19.9 million cars that were manufactured pre-2017.

“This driving law change is due to influence a important quantity of drivers. Additionally, for pre-2017 autos working on diesel or petrol and emitting over 76g/km of CO2, the first-year tax will double in contrast to the present charge.”

Announced as a measure in the previous Budget, the DVLA’s tax changes will see the tax bands applied to new models double, with the amount that drivers will need to pay depending on the model’s carbon dioxide emissions.

Electric vehicles will be the cheapest to tax, with an initial payment of £10; however a petrol-powered supermini, like the Volkswagen Polo or Citroen C3, will soon cost £440 for the first year – an increase of £220.

Nevertheless, vehicles that are set to experience the most significant tax rise are those producing more than 255g/km of carbon dioxide, mostly high-performance models or luxury SUVs. From April 1 2025, the tax applied to these models will rise from £2,475 to an eye-watering £5,490.

Richard highlighted that the measure is intended to discourage new car buyers from choosing polluting models, particularly given that all cars made after 2017 pay the same flat rate – no matter how much carbon dioxide they emit.

He added: “Taking steps in direction of a more eco-friendly road can solely be seen positively and as electric autos turn into more and more well-liked amongst car patrons, securing 21.6 p.c of the market share, these finances bulletins will come as no shock to many.

“For those with vehicles manufactured before 2017, who may be affected by these road tax increases, it could be time to consider swapping your car for a new, more environmentally friendly model. Webuyanycar’s car valuation page will help you find out how much your car is worth helping you get started in purchasing a new vehicle.”

With the DVLA’s adjustments additionally set to see the tax exemption on electric autos finish, a growing quantity of motoring specialists have warned that the next months might see a droop in EV gross sales.

According to figures revealed by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), 21,244 electric autos had been bought in the UK during February 2025 – accounting for 25.3 p.c of the market.

Whilst the figures will probably even be sturdy for March 2025, with the launch of the new quantity plates serving to to increase demand throughout the automotive sector, the Government has come underneath stress to introduce new incentives to encourage drivers to make the change.