These drivers set to pay ‘highest fees’ as new car tax changes introduced

Under the update, annual first-year VED fees for these road users will rise from £2,745 per year to £5,490.

The £2,745 increase for these road users is the biggest financial increase of any motorist this spring and could leave many prospective buyers rethinking their plans.

According to HM Revenue and Customs, the new rules are being introduced to “widen the difference” between electric vehicles and petrol and diesel cars.

They have previously explained: “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.

“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.

“From 1 April 2025, zero-emission cars will pay the lowest first-year rate. Rates for cars with CO2 emissions of 1 to 50 grams per kilometre and 51 to 75 grams per kilometre, including hybrid vehicles, will increase to bring them closer to higher emitting cars.

“Cars in the bands for CO2 emissions of 76 to 90 grams per kilometre and above will pay double the equivalent rates from 2024 to 2025.”

However, experts at motoring specialists LeaseLoco suggested that cars emitting over 255g/km will tend to be luxury or high-performance machines.

These cars are set to have considerable list prices meaning the average motorist treating themselves to a new family machine will unlikely to be affected at this scale.

They said: “Luxury and performance models with the largest engines will receive the biggest tax increase, with the rate rising by a staggering £2,745 to £5,490 per year.”