UK Introduces New Car Tax, Impacting Electric Vehicle Owners

New changes to Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) in the UK, set to take effect on April 1, could impose significant tax burdens on drivers, particularly for petrol and diesel vehicles, with some facing potential fees up to £5,500 for the first year. While electric vehicle (EV) owners will lose their previous tax exemption, they might still save money over time due to lower running costs. A study by the RAC indicates that car dependency increases with age, with older drivers particularly resistant to abandoning their vehicles despite these tax changes. Financial experts suggest that older drivers could have benefitted from a proposed pay-per-mile tax system which was ultimately scrapped, as their typically lower mileage would have resulted in cost savings. Furthermore, a survey indicates that a significant portion of the public does not view public transport as a viable alternative. The overall sentiment reflects a struggle between the government's push for greener transport solutions and the reality of car dependency among the population.