April 13, 2026 in United Kingdom — Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax) costs vary dramatically between the lowest and highest CO2 emission vehicles — from £0 to £2,605 per year. This comprehensive comparison guide shows exactly which vehicles fall into each VED band and how to identify the lowest-tax cars on the market in 2026.
Understanding the Full VED Range
UK road tax bands span from zero emissions to high-performance vehicles. The annual cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive vehicles to tax is over £2,600 per year — a significant ownership cost factor that should influence purchasing decisions.
Zero to Low Cost: £0-205 Per Year
- Post-April 2025 pure EV: £195/year from year 2 (first year: £0). Pre-April 2025 EVs: £0 indefinitely.
- Plug-in hybrids (1-50g/km): £195/year from year 2. First year: £0.
- Low-hybrid (51-75g/km): £205/year from year 2. First year: £0.
Low to Medium Cost: £235-285 Per Year
- 76-90 g/km: £235/year from year 2 (first year: £10)
- 91-100 g/km: £265/year from year 2 (first year: £10)
- 101-110 g/km: £285/year from year 2 (first year: £10-£30 depending on exact band)
Medium Cost: £345-445 Per Year
- 111-130 g/km: £345/year from year 2 (first year: £30-£110)
- 131-150 g/km: £445/year from year 2 (first year: £130-£205)
High Cost: £600-755 Per Year
- 151-165 g/km: £600/year from year 2 (first year: £195)
- 166-175 g/km: £600/year from year 2 (first year: £245)
- 176-180 g/km: £600/year from year 2 (first year: £255)
- 181-185 g/km: £755/year from year 2 (first year: £260)
- 186-200 g/km: £755/year from year 2 (first year: £260-£300)
Very High Cost: £1,280-2,605 Per Year
- 201-225 g/km: £1,280/year from year 2 (first year: £580-£680)
- 226-255 g/km: £1,870/year from year 2 (first year: £1,000-£1,200)
- Over 255 g/km: £2,605/year from year 2 (first year: £1,200-£2,605)
Highest Tax: Vehicles Over £40,000
For vehicles registered from April 2017 onwards with a list price over £40,000, an additional annual supplement of £410 applies for years 2-5 of ownership. This adds significantly to the annual cost for premium vehicles:
| Vehicle Type | Standard VED (Yr 2+) | With Premium Supplement | Total Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| EV over £40k (post-2025) | £195 | + £410 | £605/yr (years 2-5) |
| Band E over £40k | £445 | + £410 | £855/yr (years 2-5) |
| Band H over £40k | £755 | + £410 | £1,165/yr (years 2-5) |
| Band J over £40k | £1,280 | + £410 | £1,690/yr (years 2-5) |
Lowest Tax Cars Available in 2026
For buyers prioritising road tax savings, the following categories offer the lowest ongoing VED costs:
- New pure electric vehicles: £0 first year, £195/year thereafter — the same rate as the cheapest petrol cars but with zero fuel costs and lower BiK for company car users
- Pre-April 2025 EVs: £0 indefinitely — the absolute lowest road tax possible
- Toyota Prius / Toyota Aqua: Pre-2017 models with CO2 under 100g/km pay just £130/year — significantly lower than post-2017 equivalents
- Plug-in hybrids from major manufacturers: Hyundai Ioniq PHEV, Toyota Prius PHEV, Kia Niro PHEV all at £195/year from year 2
Highest Tax Vehicles to Avoid
These vehicle categories have the highest VED costs — consider alternatives if road tax is a budget concern:
- Performance SUVs with large engines: Many emit 200g/km+ and cost £755-£1,280/year
- Luxury performance cars: High-power engines and heavy bodies often push into the 200g/km+ bands
- Diesel large SUVs and pickups: High torque diesels often exceed 180g/km and may also be subject to the premium supplement if over £40k list price
5-Year Cost Comparison
Over a 5-year ownership period, the cumulative road tax cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive vehicle types is substantial:
- Post-2025 EV: £0 (yr1) + 4 x £195 = £780 total over 5 years
- Band E petrol (150g/km): £130 (yr1) + 4 x £445 = £1,910 total over 5 years — £1,130 more than EV
- Band H petrol (200g/km): £260 (yr1) + 4 x £755 = £3,280 total over 5 years — £2,500 more than EV
- Band J petrol (225g/km): £580 (yr1) + 4 x £1,280 = £5,700 total over 5 years — £4,920 more than EV
Conclusion
Road tax costs range from £0 (pre-2025 EVs) to £2,605/year (highest-emission vehicles). Post-April 2025 EVs cost £780 over 5 years, while high-emission Band J vehicles cost £5,700 over 5 years — a £4,920 difference. The premium supplement adds £410/year for vehicles over £40,000 in years 2-5. Use GOV.UK VED rate tables to find the exact tax band for any specific vehicle before buying.