Petrol and diesel car owners hit with 'ten fold' car tax increase
Petrol and diesel drivers have been hit with a massive 'ten-fold' car tax hike in 2025, in a blow for UK motorists.
Owners of certain combustion engines were hit with substantial increases back in April as sweeping changes to Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) charges took effect.
VED charges are worked out based on how much a vehicle pollutes, meaning the dirtiest motors typically face the biggest bills. But some of the cleanest combustion cars - those pumping out between just 1 and 50g/km of CO2 - were saw some of the most brutal rises.
Many plug-in hybrid models also got caught up, with bills rocketing from just £10 to more than £100, reports the Express.
The RAC sounded the alarm about these changes earlier this spring, and now drivers ae feeling the effects.
The RAC said: "The biggest news is the ten-fold increase in first-year car tax rates for cars emitting between 1-50g/km of CO2, which includes hybrids.
"These will increase from the current rate of £10 for petrol and diesel cars (or zero for hybrids) to £110. The vast majority of plug-in hybrid cars fall into this band.
"Rates for new cars emitting between 51-75g/km of CO2 will increase from £30 (or £20 for hybrids) to £135."
Massive jumps in first-year VED rates formed the backbone of the overnment's car tax shake-up during the Spring..
In other cases charges doubled outright, forcing road users to shell out thousands more just to keep their cars on the tarmac. Vehicles producing more than 255g/km of CO2 will now face £5,490 in first-year VED charges, a substantial jump from the previous annual rate of £2,745.
Similarly, heavily polluting cars generating between 226 and 255g/km will witness charges surge from £2,340 to £4,680.
Experts at Pete Barden said: "Starting from April 1, 2025, the UK's Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) rates for new cars are set for a major overhaul, with significant increases in first-year rates for certain vehicle emissions categories.
"The government explains these changes as a way to "strengthen incentives" for choosing zero-emission and electric vehicles by expanding the cost differences between electric, hybrid, and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Forget Ring - this Blink doorbell alternative is only £28.99
The Blink Doorbell camera is on sale now for £28.99 - down from £49.99 for a limited time Video doorbells, now more affordable and capable than ever, are a great way to keep an eye on your home while you're away, serving as a security camera. For those seeking a bargain without wanting to fully commit, Amazon has an offer that might be worth considering. The Blink Doorbell camera is currently priced at £28.99, down from its original price of £49.99 for a limited period. Given this price, it's certainly worth thinking about. The camera enables Brits to answer their door from anywhere using their smartphone, with 1080p HD day and infrared night video, and two-way audio. Blink boasts of long-lasting battery life, customised alerts, and privacy settings. For shoppers concerned about the set-up process, it can be completed within minutes using the two included AA lithium batteries and then connected to Wi-Fi via the app. The newly designed internal battery seal also offers an IP54 weather resistance rating to protect against Britain's harsh weather conditions, reports the Express. Unlike Ring, Blink allows customers to store clips and videos on a separate device without the need for a subscription fee. For those wanting some alternatives, there's the Ring Battery Video Doorbell for £79.99. It comes with extremely quick set-up within five minutes and high-definition video recording. There's also the Arlo video doorbell that comes in for a slightly more expensive £95.99 - and it comes with 2K cameras and person/package detection. Grab the Blink video doorbell for £28.99 £49.99 £28.99 Amazon GET DEAL Product Description Shoppers are singing praises for the Blink doorbell, with one enthusing: "Now, I'm all for keeping an eye on the doorstep, especially with the little ones running about. This Blink Video Doorbell does just the trick, and it doesn't need any wires, which is a bonus for those of us who aren't keen on DIY. "Setting it up was fairly straightforward, though it took a few tries to get the hang of it. First, you pop in the batteries and connect the Sync Module 2 to your Wi-Fi. "Then, you download the Blink app, create an account, and add the doorbell and module. The app guides you through the rest, which is basically scanning QR codes and following on-screen instructions. "The picture quality is decent, even in the evenings. I can clearly see who's at the door, even if they're lurking in the shadows. The two-way talk feature is handy too - I can tell the postie where to leave a parcel, or have a quick chat with the neighbours without having to open the door." Yet, not everyone is delighted; some have raised issues about battery life. One shopper pointed out, "Great piece of kit that works really well with the other blink products I have, as well as Alexa. "My issue is battery life. I have had it for two months and four days, and I am about to change the batteries for the second time. I'm not sure if this is just mine, but it is slightly annoying. The listing says long battery life, but it really isn't."
Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Full list of 59 Ford, BMW, Audi and Toyota cars hit by huge £2,500 tax rise
Anyone buying certain new cars have been hammered with massive tax rises - which many don't know about A whopping 59 cars from 24 brands, including popular manufacturers such as Ford, BMW and Mercedes, have been hit with a £2,745 car tax hike since in April 2025 - meaning anyone buying one of these cars is impacted. This comes on the back of significant changes in Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) rates announced in the Autumn Budget by Labour. First-year VED fees for petrol and diesel models have been hiked this year. These are hefty fees paid by owners of brand-new vehicles before they switch to the standard rate. Fees rose on a sliding scale, with most of the higher tiers seeing fees double from their current 2024 rates. Models producing over 255 g/km of CO2 were hit with the highest £2,745 increase, affecting some of the most popular vehicles on the road. This means common mid-market brands such as Ford and Toyota have some models affected. BMW, Mercedes and Audi models are also feeling the pinch. In addition, high-end vehicles will bear the brunt of the change. Among those facing the new tax are some models of Porsche, Lotus, Lamborghini and McLaren, reports Lancs Live. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced at the end of October that drivers of new petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles would face higher first-year tax rates. It was in first year road tax where the biggest changes were seen - in the top band of 255+g/km emissions it rose to £5,490 having previously been £2,475. In standard road tax rate, which is what you'll pay annually to tax your car from the second year onwards, for all cars registered registered after 1 April 2017 it is £195 – petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric - t was previously £190 for petrol/diesel, with a £10 discount for hybrids, and free for electric cars. The expensive car supplement is also increasing to £425 per year (previously £410), which you need to pay for the second to sixth year your car is on the road if it cost more than £40,000 new. The move is designed to encourage consumers to buy electric vehicles and widen the gap between 'higher polluting' vehicles and EVs. The first-year tax figure is calculated based on the amount of carbon dioxide the vehicle produces. Electric vehicles (EVs), which have been enjoying the perk of not paying Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), are set for a change as owners will face a nominal £10 charge for their first year's VED from April—a decision that has now been put on ice. In contrast, drivers of petrol, diesel and hybrid cars are gearing up for a hefty increase, with current rates expected to double by 2025, according to Lancs Live. Speaking to Car Dealer Magazine, it was revealed that this could mean a new Ford Puma might see its first-year VED jump from £220 to £440, while those splashing out on a luxury Range Rover could be hit with a rise from £2,745 to an eye-watering £5,490. Chancellor Rachel Reeves, in her Budget speech, informed MPs: "To help drive the transition to electric vehicles the government is strengthening incentives to purchase EVs by widening the differentials in Vehicle Excise Duty First Year Rates between EVs and hybrids or internal combustion engine cars." She further stated that the government will continue to support EVs by "The government is also maintaining EV incentives in the Company Car Tax regime and extending 100% First Year Allowances for zero emission cars and EV charge points for a further year." The Budget document illuminated the forthcoming alterations, stating: "Vehicle Excise Duty first-year rates are paid for the first year of a car's lifecycle, at the point of registration, and vary based on emissions." The statement further disclosed: "From 1 April 2025, the Vehicle Excise Duty first-year rates will be changed to widen the difference between zero-emission, hybrid and internal combustion engine cars." Full list of new models emitting more than 255 g/km has been made available. Audi RS6 4.0 TFSI V8 Audi S8 4.0 TFSI V8 McLaren GT 4.0T V8 Audi R8 5.2 FSI V10 Lamborghini Huracan 5.2 V10 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 6.2 V8 Volkswagen Amarok 3.0 TDI Aston Martin DBX 4.0 V8 Ferrari Roma 3.8T V8 Audi SQ7 4.0 TFSI V8 Range Rover Sport 4.4P V8 Jaguar F-Pace 5.0 P575 V8 Aston Martin DB12 4.0 V8 Porsche 911 3.7T 992 Turbo Jeep Wrangler 2.0 GME Ford Ranger 2.0 TD EcoBlue Audi RSQ8 4.0 TFSI V8 Lotus Emira 3.5 V6 Bentley Continental 4.0 V8 Audi SQ8 4.0 TFSI V8 Aston Martin Vantage 4.0 V8 Toyota Hilux 2.8D Porsche Macan 2.9T V6 Mercedes-Benz SL55 Range Rover 4.4 P530 V8 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 4.0 V8 Porsche 718 Cayman 4.0 GT4 Lamborghini Urus 4.0 V8 BiTurbo Audi RS7 4.0 TFSI V8 Ford Mustang 5.0 V8 Toyota Land Cruiser 2.8D Bentley Continental 6.0 W12 Mercedes-Benz GLC63 Ford Ranger 3.0 V6 INEOS Grenadier 3.0P Range Rover 4.4 P615 V8 Land Rover Defender 90 5.0 P425 V8 Rolls-Royce Ghost 6.75 V12 Ford Ranger 3.0 EcoBlue Mercedes-Benz G63 Ferrari Purosangue 6.5 V12 Rolls-Royce Cullinan 6.75 V12 Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2.9 V6 Bi-Turbo Mercedes-Benz GLE63 Maserati Levante 3.0 V6 Porsche Cayenne 4.0T V8 BMW M8 4.4 V8 Maserati MC20 3.0 V6 Land Rover Defender 110 5.0 P425 V8 Mercedes-Benz G400D Lamborghini Revuelto 6.5 V12 Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8 BMW X7 M 4.4 V8 BMW X6 M 4.4 V8 BMW Alpina XB7 4.4 V8 Bentley Flying Spur 4.0 V8 Maserati Levante 3.8 V8 BMW X5 M 4.4 V8 Mercedes-Benz GLS63h
Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Attraction 'like mythical Egyptian tomb' resurrected after fears it had been lost
The 1929 locomotive was found in a Carmelite convent near Ware, Hertfordshire, in 2016 and has now re-entered service at the North Norfolk Railway in Sheringham A historical steam engine echoing the allure of a "mythical Egyptian tomb" has been resurrected after many feared it was swallowed by history. After almost 10 years of meticulous restoration, it now resides on the coastline as its new sanctuary. "The Newstead", an impressive industrial steam locomotive discovered at a convent, has begun its next journey along the coastal tracks. The 1929 treasure emerged from obscurity at a Carmelite convent close to Ware, Hertfordshire, in 2016. It made its grand return to action at North Norfolk Railway in Sheringham this past Saturday following a laborious nine-year overhaul. Enthusiastic about the momentous occasion, Alex Alder, the owner of the train, told BBC: "After nine years of efforts, for the very first time ever she pulled passenger trains. It was absolutely incredible." Alex likened unearthing the engine to uncovering "of a mythical Egyptian tomb", reports the Express. Birthed by the Hunslet Engine Company in Leeds back in 1929, as per details from North Norfolk Railway, the locomotive enjoyed an illustrious but finite career before the National Coal Board retired it in 1972. Having been a jewel in the crown of vintage vehicle enthusiast Malcolm Saul since the late 1970s, this classic engine was enshrined within a custom-built shed to shield it from the ravages of British weather. After Malcolm's passing in 2015, his treasured engine was thought to be a relic of the past, that is until it re-emerged from the shadows. "I fully never expected to be driven down a Hertfordshire country lane, following a wild tip off about a lost engine. I could never have imagined taking tea and biscuits with [a] mother superior at a convent, and hearing of 'Malcolm's engine'. "But there it was in this convent in Hertfordshire, 39 tons of miracle," he continued. Alex explained that resurrecting the locomotive set him back by roughly £200,000, a labour of love that harnessed the dedication of volunteers for nine years. The North Norfolk Railway has announced their plans to put the revived locomotive to good use, drawing passengers between Sheringham and Holt. General Manager Graham Hukins couldn't hide his joy, proclaiming it "absolutely wonderful" to witness the engine come alive in Sheringham. "The engine that was stuck in a nunnery, lost for years, everyone thought it had been scrapped. This weekend is the very first time it has been paired with passenger carriages, and it is an absolute delight to have it join our working fleet." Being involved in this remarkable recovery and seeing the engine chuffing once again holds special meaning for them, particularly as they mark half a century of railway operations at North Norfolk Railway.
