City cars
Small footprint. Everyday journeys.
Pictured: Renault 5 E-Tech · Photo credit
A clearer view of electric car tax
Electric car tax.
Without the guesswork.
Understand what you pay today, what’s changing in 2028, and what it could mean for your next car.
Independent information. Official sources. Plain English.
The bigger picture2028 scenario
Example electric car · 10,000 miles
£500 / year
Three parts.£500 / year
One clearer picture.
£200Yearly road tax
£0Extra charge for higher-priced cars
£300Mileage charge from 2028
Kia EV3 Air SR · 58.3 kWh · list price £32,990 · first registered April 2027.
Current VED held constant. Illustration, not a future quote.
3p
per mile for electric cars
announced from April 2028
1.5p
per mile for plug-in hybrids
announced from April 2028
£50k
electric car list-price threshold
for the expensive car supplement
Mileage policy: HM Treasury’s July 2026 response . Threshold: HMRC guidance .
Find your fit
Different cars. A clearer comparison.
Find your body style, then explore new, used and recorded electric models.
Hatchbacks
Versatile, compact and practical.
Pictured: MG4 EV Urban · Photo credit
Saloons
Streamlined comfort for longer trips.
Pictured: Hyundai IONIQ 6 · Photo credit
SUVs
A higher driving position.
Pictured: Kia EV3 · Photo credit
Estates
More room for life’s luggage.
Pictured: Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer · Photo credit
7-seaters
Extra seats for a bigger crew.
Pictured: Kia EV9 · Photo credit
MPVs
Flexible space for people.
Pictured: Volkswagen ID. Buzz · Photo credit
Performance
A sharper focus on driving.
Pictured: Hyundai IONIQ 6 N · Photo credit
Explore popular makes
BYD, Jaecoo and Tesla.
Real model photographs and current UK version prices. Open the source evidence before comparing an older used example.
SUVs · Electric
BYD Atto 3 EVO — representative model photograph; trim and specification may differ. Photo credit
Current model
BYD Atto 3 Evo
Design RWD
£38,990Verified UK on-the-road price
Confirm list priceFull annual tax cannot yet be calculated
Mileage component: £300 at 10,000 miles. Other tax may apply.
SUVs · Electric
Jaecoo E5 — representative model photograph; trim and specification may differ. Photo credit
Current model
Jaecoo 5 Electric
Pure 60.9 kWh
£27,505Verified UK on-the-road price
£500Illustrative annual total
Tax list price£27,440
Saloons · Electric
Tesla Model 3 — representative model photograph; trim and specification may differ. Photo credit
Current model
Tesla Model 3
Performance All-Wheel Drive
£59,990Verified UK on-the-road price
£940Illustrative annual total
Tax list price£59,925
Put the numbers side by side
Same mileage. Different tax bills?
These manufacturer-sourced examples have a verified tax list price.
SUVs · ElectricRepresentative model photo. Trim, paint and market specification may differ. Photo credit
Current model · 3 recorded variants
Kia EV3
Air SR · 58.3 kWh
£33,055Manufacturer OTR before grants
£500Illustrative annual total
Tax list price£32,990
SUVs · ElectricRepresentative model photo. Trim, paint and market specification may differ. Photo credit
Current model
Kia EV3
Air · 81.4 kWh
£36,055Manufacturer OTR before grants
£500Illustrative annual total
Tax list price£35,990
7-seaters · ElectricRepresentative model photo. Trim, paint and market specification may differ. Photo credit
Current model · 4 recorded variants
Kia EV9
Air · 99.8 kWh RWD
£66,645Manufacturer OTR before grants
£940Illustrative annual total
Tax list price£66,580
A comparison scenario, not a future tax quote. Annual renewal on 1 April 2028; first registered 1 April 2027. Current VED rates are held constant, with announced mileage rates added. Options, registration date and future rate changes can alter the result. See assumptions.
At the same mileage, all battery electric cars have the same mileage charge. The two EV3 examples tie here; the EV9’s higher total comes from the expensive car supplement.
Good to know
The essentials, explained simply.
What changes in April 2028?
A mileage charge is announced for electric and plug-in hybrid cars, on top of existing vehicle tax.
Get the explanation ↗Will your car cross £50,000?
The original list price, including factory options, determines the electric car supplement. Discounts do not.
Get the explanation ↗Buying used? Check the dates.
The car’s first registration and age matter. A lower used-car price does not reset its original list price.
Get the explanation ↗Making it personal
Your car. Your mileage. Your estimate.
See how the three parts of electric car tax add up for you.
From the source
Keep up with the changes.
Headlines from government, industry and manufacturers.
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