Are we being forced to go electric?

[classic33]

That is hat it used to be (each Class of vehicle having a different amount though - so Motorbikes, cars, buses, LGV, HGV etc. Each havaing one amount).

They changed that a good few years ago to encourage "cleaner" vehicles.

When it became emission based, it spread the amounts payable. So in effect they'll be going back to the system you give.

 

[Scottish Scrutineer]

Some councils to start charging for charging points.
https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/electric-car-owners-hit-road-28472652

That's already the case in Fife. There is a connection fee plus charge for the electricity used. Quite fair

 

[CXRAndy]

It was always the case, that government would want to charge EVs for travelling. Those of us who got in early have saved many hundreds in initial fees plus much larger incentives to buy.

Next stage for Ev owners is to get as much solar of their own to cancel out rising electricity costs. This will also mitigate road charging costs.

 

[youngoldbloke]

I'd say every motorised vehicle on the roads will have a set amount, to be paid yearly.

With it possibly extending to e-assist and electric bicycles.

Why? - and then how?

 

[cyberknight]

From what I read the grant incentive to buy one is also being scrapped

 

[Milzy]

How can they tax EV’s when our system is VED based? It will never happen.
Makes you laugh though with all these Tesla’s half coal powered in the world.

 

[vickster]

How can they tax EV’s when our system is VED based? It will never happen.
Makes you laugh though with all these Tesla’s half coal powered in the world.

The system can be changed or a new one introduced

 

[Alex321]

How can they tax EV’s when our system is VED based? It will never happen.
Makes you laugh though with all these Tesla’s half coal powered in the world.

Why would that make it any more difficult to tax EVs?

VED - Vehicle Excise Duty. Nothing to do with what powers the vehicle, although they have used emissions in recent years to define the level of VED due for any given vehicle. But that is a fairly recent introduction, and can easily be changed.

And technically, they are subject to VED, just at zero rate.

 

[KnittyNorah]

Why would that make it any more difficult to tax EVs?

VED - Vehicle Excise Duty. Nothing to do with what powers the vehicle, although they have used emissions in recent years to define the level of VED due for any given vehicle. But that is a fairly recent introduction, and can easily be changed.

And technically, they are subject to VED, just at zero rate.

Some people are (mis)understanding VED as Vehicle Emissions Duty, so that might be one source of confusion leading to idea that the VED system can't be applied to EVs.

 

[icowden]

Makes you laugh though with all these Tesla’s half coal powered in the world.

Why? One change by a government and they become completely cleanly fuelled. It moves the pressure from the automobile to the Government. Build more wind, hydro and solar. End of.

 

[Chislenko]

Some people are (mis)understanding VED as Vehicle Emissions Duty, so that might be one source of confusion leading to idea that the VED system can't be applied to EVs.

It would appear inevitable, due to diminishing traditional revenue, that the government will introduce some sort of EV taxation.

 

[vickster]

It would appear inevitable, due to diminishing traditional revenue, that the government will introduce some sort of EV taxation.

And rightly so. They still use the infrastructure (roads, lighting, signage, policing etc) and are still involved in accidents which impact wider society and resources

 

[ClichéGuevara]

And rightly so. They still use the infrastructure (roads, lighting, signage, policing etc) and are still involved in accidents which impact wider society and resources

I think most if not all of those are paid for from local rates rather then general VED.

 

[vickster]

I think most if not all of those are paid for from local rates rather then general VED.

Motorways? Trunk Roads?

VED more importantly goes into the big treasury pot…

 

[Alex321]

I think most if not all of those are paid for from local rates rather then general VED.

VED has never been ring-fenced anyhow - that stopped when it was still road tax, which ended in 1937.

But whether paid locally or out of general taxation depends on the type of road. If a road is part of the "Strategic Road Network", then it will be the Highways Agency responsible for maintenance and signage. For other Trunk Roads, it will be Highways England, Transport Scotland or the Welsh Government.

All lesser roads are the responsibility of local authorities.