April 12, 2026 in United Kingdom — How much you pay in car tax (vehicle excise duty, or VED) depends primarily on your vehicle's CO2 emissions. Most petrol and diesel cars registered from April 2017 onwards pay the same flat standard rate of £195 per year from year 2 onwards. The first year costs more — from £0 for zero-emission electric vehicles up to £2,745 for the highest emitters. This guide shows exactly how to calculate your car tax cost in 2026, including what you'll pay based on your CO2 band and whether you'll be affected by the premium car supplement.
How to Calculate Your Car Tax — By Registration
The fastest way to find out your exact car tax cost is:
- Use the GOV.UK free vehicle check to get your vehicle's CO2 figure
- Match the CO2 g/km to the VED bands below
- Determine if you're in year 1 or year 2+ of ownership
- Add the premium supplement if the vehicle's list price exceeded £40,000
Standard Car Tax Rate — Post-April 2017 Vehicles
For vehicles registered from April 2017 onwards, the standard annual rate from year 2 is £195 per year — regardless of CO2 emissions. Most petrol and diesel cars fall here after their first-year payment. This applies to:
- All vehicles registered from April 2020 onwards
- Petrol and diesel cars registered April 2017 to March 2020
First-Year Car Tax Rates 2026 — CO2 Bands
The first-year VED rate is based on CO2 emissions. Here's the complete band structure:
| CO2 (g/km) | First Year (Petrol) | First Year (Diesel) | Year 2+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 (electric) | £0 | £0 | £195 |
| 1–50 | £10 | £10 | £195 |
| 51–75 | £30 | £30 | £195 |
| 76–90 | £130 | £130 | £195 |
| 91–100 | £160 | £160 | £195 |
| 101–110 | £180 | £180 | £195 |
| 111–130 | £220 | £253 | £195 |
| 131–150 | £280 | £322 | £195 |
| 151–170 | £680 | £782 | £195 |
| 171–190 | £1,090 | £1,254 | £195 |
| 191–225 | £1,705 | £1,961 | £195 |
| 226–255 | £2,480 | £2,852 | £195 |
| Over 255 | £2,745 | £3,157 | £195 |
Diesel vehicles carry a 15% surcharge on the first-year rate. From year 2, all pay the same £195 standard rate.
Premium Car Supplement — £40,000+ Vehicles
Vehicles with a list price over £40,000 pay an additional £410 per year for years 2 through 6. This applies on top of the £195 standard rate:
- Vehicles under £40,000: £195/year from year 2
- Vehicles over £40,000: £605/year from year 2 (years 2–6), then £195/year after year 6
This supplement catches many premium cars including BMWs, Mercedes, Audis, and some electric vehicles. The £40,000 threshold is based on the vehicle's original list price when new — not its current market value.
Electric Vehicle Tax Changes 2025
Since April 2025, electric vehicles no longer enjoy free road tax. EVs now pay:
- First year: £0 (pure electric, 0g/km)
- Year 2 onwards: £195/year
- Premium EV (over £40,000): £605/year for years 2–6
Pre-April 2017 Vehicles
For vehicles registered before April 2017, the CO2-based rate applies every year, not just in year 1. Rates range from £0 (for 0-50g/km vehicles) up to £690/year for vehicles over 255g/km. Use the GOV.UK vehicle check to find your vehicle's exact CO2 figure.
How Much Will My Car Tax Be in 2025/2026?
The rates for 2025-2026 are the same as the standard VED rates above. There have been no significant changes to VED bands in 2026. Electric vehicles saw the biggest change — losing their road tax exemption from April 2025.
Cost Examples for Common Vehicles
- Toyota Yaris Hybrid (92g/km): £160 first year, then £195/year
- Volkswagen Golf 1.5 TSI (124g/km): £220 first year, then £195/year
- BMW 3 Series 320d (138g/km): £322 first year (diesel), then £195/year
- Mercedes C-Class C220d (142g/km): £322 first year (diesel), then £195/year
- Range Rover Sport 3.0 (222g/km): £1,961 first year (diesel), then £195/year
- Tesla Model 3 (0g/km): £0 first year, then £195/year (or £605 if over £40,000)
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is road tax for my car?
Most post-April 2017 vehicles pay £195 per year from year 2 onwards. The first year ranges from £0 (electric) to £2,745 (over 255g/km). Check your vehicle's CO2 figure on the V5C or at GOV.UK to get the exact rate.
Will my car tax go up in 2026?
VED rates have remained broadly stable in 2026. The most significant recent change was the removal of electric vehicle exemptions in April 2025. No major VED rate increases have been announced for 2026.
Do I pay more road tax on a diesel car?
Diesel vehicles pay 15% more in the first-year rate compared to petrol equivalents. From year 2 onwards, both pay the same £195/year standard rate (or £605 with premium supplement).
How much is car tax for a £50,000 car?
A £50,000 car pays the standard £195/year plus the £410 premium supplement for years 2–6, totalling £605/year. Year 1 depends on CO2. This applies regardless of whether the car is petrol, diesel, or electric.
What CO2 band is my car?
Find your CO2 figure on your V5C log book or use the free GOV.UK vehicle check with your registration number.
Conclusion
How much you pay in car tax depends on your vehicle's CO2 emissions, its registration date, and its list price. Most drivers pay £195 per year from year 2 onwards. Use our UK car tax calculator to find your exact VED cost based on your vehicle's specific details.