BVRLA calls for delay to Electric Vehicle Excise Duty
The BVRLA has called on the government to abandon plans to introduce an Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED).
The new pay-per-mile tax is due to be introduced in 2028, imposing a 3p-per-mile tariff on electric vehicles and a 1.5p-per-mile tariff on plug-in hybrids.
A number of industry bodies have warned the government that such a scheme would result in slower electric vehicles sales, while UK energy and infrastructure trade association BEAMA has predicted it could cost the UK economy £4.8bn.
Now the BVRLA has lent its weight to the chorus of voices calling for a rethink.
It has coordinated an open letter to treasury minister Dan Tomlinson MP that warns the proposed eVED scheme could undermine EV adoption and place major operational and financial burdens on the businesses driving electrification.
The letter calls for a delay until at least 2032 and says the scheme should be redesigned to reduce unnecessary administrative costs and operational complexity.
Stability
Chief executive Toby Poston said: “Freezing fuel duty is the right call at a time when rising global tensions are already pushing up costs for households and businesses. Drivers and fleets need stability, not more financial pressure.
“The government should take the same approach with electric vehicles. The new eVED road pricing charge on EVs risks slowing the transition just as more drivers are motivated to make the switch. This is the moment to back affordable zero-emission motoring, not make it more expensive.”
