April 13, 2026 in United Kingdom — With electric vehicles now mainstream and petrol cars still dominant, comparing road tax costs between the two is essential for any car buyer in 2026. This guide provides a complete VED comparison between electric and petrol cars, including first-year rates, standard annual rates, and long-term ownership costs.
First-Year Road Tax: Electric vs Petrol
Since April 2025, the first-year road tax rules changed significantly for electric vehicles. Here is how first-year VED compares:
| Vehicle Type | First-Year VED (2026) | From Year 2 |
|---|---|---|
| New Pure EV (registered April 2025+) | £0 | £195/year |
| New Petrol (0-100g/km) | £0 | £195/year |
| New Petrol (101-110g/km) | £10 | £285/year |
| New Petrol (131-150g/km) | £130 | £445/year |
| New Petrol (151-165g/km) | £195 | £600/year |
| New Petrol (181-200g/km) | £260 | £755/year |
| Pre-April 2025 EV (any CO2) | £0 | £0/year (grandfathered) |
Annual Road Tax After Year 1: EV vs Petrol
From year two onwards, the standard VED rate applies. Pure electric vehicles registered from April 2025 onwards pay £195/year — the same as the lowest petrol band. High-emission petrol cars pay significantly more:
- Low-emission petrol (100g/km or less): £195/year — same as post-2025 EV
- Medium-emission petrol (130-150g/km): £445/year — £250 more than EV
- High-emission petrol (180-200g/km): £755/year — £560 more than EV
- High-emission petrol (201-225g/km): £1,280/year — £1,085 more than EV
5-Year Road Tax Cost Comparison
Over a 5-year ownership period, the cumulative road tax difference between an EV and a high-emission petrol car is substantial: Related: Car Tax | Electric Cars Road Tax UK 2026 | Electric Cars Road Tax UK 2026 | Car Tax and Home Charging UK 2026.
- EV (post-April 2025) vs 180g/km petrol: Year 1: £0 vs £260. Years 2-5: 4 x £195 = £780 vs 4 x £755 = £3,020. Total: £780 vs £3,280 — EV saves £2,500 over 5 years.
- EV vs 140g/km petrol: Year 1: £0 vs £100. Years 2-5: 4 x £195 = £780 vs 4 x £365 = £1,460. Total: £780 vs £1,560 — EV saves £780 over 5 years.
- EV vs 100g/km petrol: Year 1: £0 vs £0. Years 2-5: 4 x £195 = £780 vs 4 x £195 = £780. Total: £780 vs £780 — identical cost.
Where EVs Still Have a Road Tax Advantage
For premium EVs priced over £40,000, there is a small additional annual supplement of £410 for years 2-5 (for vehicles priced over £40,000). This brings the EV cost to £605/year for years 2-5 for premium EVs. However, even with the supplement, high-emission petrol cars (£755+/year) are still more expensive in road tax than premium EVs (£605/year).
Pre-April 2025 EVs: The True Zero-Cost Option
Vehicles registered before April 1, 2025 with zero CO2 emissions (pure electric) continue to pay £0 road tax indefinitely — they are grandfathered at zero annual rate. This means a pre-April 2025 EV owner pays nothing in road tax for as long as they own the vehicle, saving £195/year compared to a post-April 2025 EV and £560+ per year compared to a Band H petrol car.
Plug-in Hybrid Comparison
Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) with CO2 emissions of 1-50g/km pay £195/year from year two — the same as a pure EV. The first-year rate is also £0. So from a pure road tax perspective, a PHEV and a pure EV cost the same. However, PHEVs have a petrol/diesel engine that may incur additional tax considerations for company car Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) purposes.
Petrol Cars That Match EV Road Tax
Not all petrol cars cost more to tax than EVs. Low-emission petrol cars in the 0-100g/km band (typically small 1.0-1.4L naturally aspirated engines) pay exactly the same road tax as a post-April 2025 EV from year two onwards: £195/year. The road tax difference comes from the vehicle's CO2 emissions, not its fuel type — which means a low-emission petrol hybrid (like a Toyota Prius) has the same VED cost as a pure EV.
Company Car Tax: EV vs Petrol
For company car drivers, the BiK tax difference between EV and petrol is even more dramatic. A £50,000 pure EV at 5% BiK rate costs £2,500 in Benefit-in-Kind value per year, with a 40% taxpayer paying £1,000/year in personal income tax. The same £50,000 petrol car at 20% BiK rate costs £10,000 in BiK value, with a 40% taxpayer paying £4,000/year — four times more.
Conclusion
Road tax comparison: post-April 2025 EVs match the cheapest petrol cars (£195/year from year 2) but beat medium and high-emission petrol cars by £250-£1,085/year. Pre-April 2025 EVs pay £0 road tax indefinitely. High-emission petrol drivers pay the most — up to £1,280/year. Use GOV.UK VED rate tables to compare your specific vehicle's road tax cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much is car tax (VED) in the UK 2026?
Car tax rates in the UK depend on your vehicle's CO2 emissions and list price. Standard rates start from £190 per year for petrol and diesel cars, with zero-rated VED for EVs. First-year rates vary from £0 to £2,605 depending on emissions. Additional premiums apply for vehicles over £40,000.
Q: How do I check if my car is taxed online?
You can check your vehicle's tax status for free on the Gov.uk website at gov.uk/check-vehicle-tax. You'll need your vehicle's registration number (number plate). You can also check via the Motor Insurance Database to verify road tax and insurance status simultaneously.
Q: Can I get a refund on car tax if I sell my vehicle?
Yes — if you sell or scrap your vehicle, you can claim a refund on any full months of remaining road tax. Contact DVLA with the V11 reminder letter or apply online at gov.uk. Refunds are usually processed within 4-6 weeks.
Q: Is road tax refund available when transferring ownership?
No — road tax does not transfer with the vehicle. When you sell your car, the tax is automatically cancelled and any remaining months are refunded to you by DVLA. The new owner must tax the vehicle immediately. As a buyer, always verify the vehicle's tax status before purchasing.
Q: What is the luxury car tax threshold in the UK 2026?
The additional rate for vehicles over £40,000 (list price) adds £410 per year to standard VED rates for years 2-6 of registration. This surcharge brings the annual cost for high-emission vehicles over £40,000 to around £600-690 per year. Pure EVs under £40,000 pay zero VED.