Car tax changes will be a ‘déjà vu reality’ for drivers

Experts at FairFuelUK have warned car tax fees will “unquestionably evolve” to include everyone and not just polluting vehicles. This would likely “incense” those who purchased electric cars

on the assumption they would be exempt from the charges. Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Fair Fuel UK founder Howard Cox said the situation would be similar to when road users were

encouraged to buy ‘cleaner’ diesel cars. He said: “In the myopic minds of transport and Treasury politicos, it is evident that ‘polluter pays’ will unquestionably evolve to ‘user pays’.

“That will of course, incense those well-off electric vehicle drivers who bought their characterless zilch emissions vehicles because they qualify for zero taxes and urban charges

exemptions. “There is a prophetic irony here, to when we were all told to switch to diesel from petrol over 20 years ago. READ MORE: PETROL CAR TAX INCREASE WOULD AFFECT ‘LOW-INCOME

FAMILIES’ This is down to a predicted loss of fuel duty charges on petrol and diesel pumps and traditional Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) as more road users switch to electric cars. The

Chancellor is said to be favouring a new road pricing system which would see drivers charged for each mile they travel. This differs from the current emissions focused approach which charges

owners based on how much CO2 their car emits. Although it has not yet been confirmed whether electric cars would be eligible for charges, a new pay per mile scheme would be easier to

implement across all fuel types. However, they said the Government was committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and transition to electric vehicles. The DfT said as they move

forward with the transition they needed to ensure revenue from motoring taxes "keeps pace” with the change. They said any updates to the tax system will be considered by the Chancellor

with any further steps announced in due course. Howard Cox has warned the Government must consult with campaign groups to develop a new fair system on the road. He told Express.co.uk: “In

order to preserve the Treasury’s fifth-largest income, developing a fair and viable world-beating road taxation system must be based on objective unbiased consultation with existing driver

groups such as FairFuelUK. “It most certainly must not be originated through bullying from those ill-informed anti-car and celebrity very well-financed emotive environmental zealots that

have been embedded into Whitehall’s cosy well paid advisory elite."