Petrol car tax UK — petrol vehicles are the most common on UK roads. Here is a complete guide to VED rates for petrol cars in 2026.
Petrol Car First-Year VED Bands
- 0g/km (electric mode): Not applicable — petrol is never 0g/km
- 1-50g/km: Only plug-in hybrid petrol can reach this — £10 first year
- 76-90g/km (small petrol): £130 first year
- 111-130g/km (typical family petrol): £155-£205 first year
- 171-190g/km (large petrol SUV): £1,100-£1,350 first year
- Over 255g/km (performance petrol): £2,605 first year
Petrol Car Standard Annual Rate (Years 2-6)
From year 2 onwards, all petrol cars pay the standard annual rate of £190/year — regardless of CO2 emissions. The graduated first-year VED system only applies to the first year of registration. After that, petrol cars converge to the same £190/year rate.
Petrol vs Diesel: Tax Comparison
Petrol and diesel vehicles pay identical VED rates based on CO2. A petrol car at 150g/km pays exactly the same first-year VED as a diesel at 150g/km. The diesel supplement appears in fuel duty, not in road tax — meaning diesel drivers pay more at the pump, not through VED.
Conclusion
Petrol car tax UK: first-year VED from £130 to £2,605 depending on CO2. Standard rate from year 2: £190/year. Use our car tax calculator for your specific petrol model.