The Italian performance car maker Abarth has slashed the price of one of their models to help buyers avoid a £605 increase in road tax due this April.

April is set to be a grim month for electric car owners, with the Government ending the tax exemption that was introduced in 2011 to encourage more drivers to switch from petrol and diesel models.

However, in addition to paying the standard flat rate of £195 per year, electric models with a retail price of over £40,000 will also be subject to the Expensive Car Supplement for their first five years on the road, with owners charged a total of £605 per year.

In order to avoid the expensive fee, Giuseppe Cava, Fiat and Abarth UK’s Managing Director, has announced that the 600e Scorpionissima will be lowered in price to dodge the charge.

He explained: “Recognising that our top-of-the-range Abarth 600e Scorpionissima would have attracted the Expensive Car Supplement coming in April, we’ve made the decision to reduce the price of the car and protect our customers from this tax rise.”

Abarth has cut the cost of the top-of-the-range 600e Scorpionissima by £2,100, with drivers interested in the all-electric performance crossover now paying £39,875.

According to the company, the reduction will help drivers save a total of £3,740 over the five-year period the Expensive Car Supplement would be applied to the vehicle.

Whilst new car buyers in the UK can buy an electric model for as little as £14,995, the finance company NibleFins highlighted that the average cost of a new EV is £46,000, meaning most buyers will be subject to the fee.

Abarth’s SUV is the largest model made by the company and the performance-focused version of the Fiat 600e. Like the Fiat, it features retro-themed styling and cute bug-eye headlights, but adds aggressive touches such as a large rear spoiler and a body kit.

The standard version of the Abarth 600e, which is unchanged in price, features a 237bhp electric motor and features including sports-style seats, a 10.25-inch touchscreen, and 20-inch wheels.

However, the Scorpionissima adds even more power, allowing drivers to accelerate from 0-62mph in just 5.8 seconds and listen to a synthesised engine noise as they drive, which is also fitted to the smaller 500e.