Labour insists Brits will buy EVs still despite | Tech News

Labour has insisted that the quantity of electric automobiles offered within the UK will not be impacted by a new pay-per-mile tax. Minister Simon Lightwood MP instructed The Express that present schemes will be sure that EVs stay low cost enough for people to need to buy them. On the new 3p per mile levy, to be launched in April 2028, Mr Lightwood stated: “Look, I think it’s important to say that this is about fairness. EV drivers don’t pay fuel duty at the pump, which other people do.”

He added: “I think the average for a driver per year at the moment is around – what – £480. And that isn’t fair. All cars need to be contributing to congestion and wear and tear on our roads. EVs will still pay, under our plans, half what petrol cars pay. So it still keeps them cheaper, still keeps them a greener choice. And that’ll come in from April, 2028. And a billion pounds of extra pothole funding has been delivered thanks to this as well.

“So, drivers benefit from higher roads.

“But also on top of that, because obviously there’s comments around it being a kind of reverse incentive for buying electric vehicles as well, we are extending the boost, the EV grant, that £3,750 grant, with the £3billion, extending that further as well.”

When pressed on whether or not he expects to see any fall in electric vehicle gross sales within the coming years, the minister stated: “Look, we’ve already seen 35,000 people make the switch already.

“It’s a vastly fashionable scheme. Obviously, we’re extending that out to 2030, with that £1.3billion of additional funding.

“I’m confident that people will continue to choose EVs into the future.

“It still will be cheaper to drive an electric vehicle, it will still be greener to drive an electric vehicle. So still a actually engaging selection for customers.”

He concluded: “I’m assured that we’ll proceed to see this being a actually engaging selection for customers.”

Rhydian Jones, motoring expert at Confused.com, however, suggested that people might be put off purchasing an EV after hearing what Ms Reeves had to say in her Budget.

He said: “A pay-per-mile system might create a fairer, usage-based strategy for all drivers, nevertheless it additionally dangers discouraging those that have already switched to an EV or are contemplating it primarily based on the promise of decrease long-term prices.

“Any new system should proceed supporting drivers who’re attempting to make greener decisions.

“Our latest research shows just how sensitive this issue is for motorists.

“We found that 2 in 5 (41%) drivers already feel there aren’t enough incentives to switch to an electric vehicle.

“And with the average EV driver travelling between 6,000 and 7,000 miles a year, the new pay-per-mile charge could mean paying just over £200 annually. For many, this is an unexpected cost that could slow progress towards the 2030 transition and deter drivers who are trying to make greener choices.

“To help drivers understand what these changes could mean for them, our new EV Tax Calculator allows drivers to estimate exactly how much they may end up paying under the proposed tax changes.”