EVA England calls for electric Vehicle Excise Duty rethink
EVA England has urged the government to rethink its proposed electric Vehicle Excise Duty tax, due to come into force next April.
Following a consultation, the government has confirmed it will press ahead with the pay-per-mile tax, which will see electric vehicle drivers pay 3p per mile and hybrid drivers paying 1.5p.
However, EVA England chief executive Vicky Edmonds has written an open letter setting out why eVED does not work for drivers and risks undermining sales of electric vehicles.
Based on evidence from more than 2,400 drivers, the letter highlights concerns around about upfront payments, third-party administration and refund procedures.
Critical point
The letter said: “eVED is being introduced at a critical point in the switch to electric, where real challenges such as access to affordable charging for nearly 40% of households have still not been dealt with and are presenting a considerable barrier to EV demand.
“This new charge risks making EV ownership feel even more expensive, complicated and uncertain to those who are already struggling or are sceptical about making the switch.
“Drivers are not being required to buy electric cars; they must have the confidence to choose them. Pressing ahead with an untested and burdensome tax risks weakening that confidence just as the government needs consumer demand to grow.
“EVA England submitted evidence from more than 2,400 drivers to the consultation. More than half said the proposed policy affected whether they would recommend an EV.
“Government should pause and re-think the scheme, delaying it until the real challenges to uptake have been tackled, and so that it is simple, proportionate and demonstrably workable for drivers before it proceeds.”
