What are the UK VED bands for 2026?

The UK VED bands range from £0 first-year rate for zero-emission vehicles to £5,690 for vehicles emitting over 255g/km of CO2. After the first year, all vehicles pay the standard rate of £200/year.

How much is road tax for a 200g/km car in the UK?

A vehicle emitting 200g/km of CO2 falls into the 186-200g/km band. The first-year rate is £1,210. From year 2 onwards, the standard rate of £200/year applies.

Are the VED rates different in Scotland?

The standard VED rates are the same across the UK. However, Scotland can set a Scottish Variable Rate (SVR) for higher-emission vehicles at first registration in Scotland. The SVR replaces the first-year rate in specific bands.

What is the most expensive VED band?

The highest VED band is for vehicles emitting over 255g/km of CO2, with a first-year rate of £5,690. This applies to high-performance sports cars and large SUVs like the BMW X5 M, Mercedes-AMG G63, and Ford Mustang GT V8.

Do hybrid cars pay the same as petrol cars?

Yes. Plug-in hybrids and mild hybrids are taxed based on their official CO2 emissions figure, not their fuel type. A plug-in hybrid with 50g/km emissions pays the same first-year rate as an equivalent petrol car at 50g/km.

What is the cheapest VED band after the first year?

All vehicles registered since April 1, 2017 pay the same standard rate of £200/year from year 2 onwards, regardless of emissions or fuel type. This is the cheapest annual road tax rate available.

UK VED Bands 2026: Complete Guide to Every Road Tax Rate

April 27, 2026 in London, United Kingdom — Understanding the UK's Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) bands is essential for any car buyer in 2026. Whether you are purchasing your first vehicle, upgrading to a new model, or simply want to understand your annual road tax bill, this comprehensive guide covers every VED band with the latest 2026 rates.

UK VED Band Structure 2026

Vehicles registered after April 1, 2017 are taxed based on their CO2 emissions. The table below shows all VED bands and their 2026 rates:

VED Band	CO2 Emissions (g/km)	First Year Rate	Standard Rate (Yr 2+)
A	0	£0	£200
B	1–50	£10	£200
C	51–75	£30	£200
D	76–90	£130	£200
E	91–100	£165	£200
F	101–110	£185	£200
G	111–130	£210	£200
H	131–150	£270	£200
I	151–165	£350	£200
J	166–175	£570	£200
K	176–185	£770	£200
L	186–200	£1,210	£200
M	201–225	£1,560	£200
N	226–255	£2,270	£200
O	Over 255	£5,690	£200

VED Bands Explained

Band A: Zero Emissions (Electric Vehicles)

As of April 1, 2026, electric vehicles are no longer exempt from road tax. They now pay £0 in the first year (same as before) and £200 per year from year 2 onwards. EVs priced over £50,000 also pay the Expensive Car Supplement of £425/year for years 2-5.

Bands B-F: Low to Medium Emissions (1-110g/km)

Vehicles in these bands cover the majority of modern petrol and diesel cars. First-year rates range from £10 to £185. From year 2, all pay £200/year.

Bands G-J: Medium to High Emissions (111-185g/km)

This range covers larger family cars, SUVs, and performance variants. First-year rates range from £210 to £770. Common models in these bands include the Ford Focus ST, Volkswagen Golf GTI, and BMW 3 Series.

Bands K-M: High Emissions (186-255g/km)

Vehicles in these bands include performance saloons, large SUVs, and powerful estates. First-year rates range from £770 to £2,270. Examples include the BMW M4 Competition, Mercedes-AMG C63, and Porsche Cayenne.

Band O: Very High Emissions (Over 255g/km)

The highest VED band covers the most powerful and heaviest vehicles. The £5,690 first-year rate is the maximum under the UK system. Models affected include the BMW X5 M, Mercedes-AMG G63, Ford Mustang GT V8, and Audi RS6 Avant.

Additional Costs: The Expensive Car Supplement

Vehicles with a list price over £40,000 pay an additional £425/year for years 2-5. This supplement applies to all vehicles — petrol, diesel, hybrid, and electric — above the price threshold.

For a car in the highest emissions band (over 255g/km) priced over £40,000, the total 5-year road tax cost is:

Year 1: £5,690
Years 2-5: £625/year × 4 = £2,500
Total: £8,190

Pre-April 2017 Vehicles

Vehicles first registered before April 1, 2017 are taxed differently. Instead of CO2 bands, they pay a flat rate based on engine size:

Engine Size	Annual Rate
Under 1,549cc	£190/year
Over 1,549cc	£315/year

VED for Company Cars (BiK)

Company car drivers pay Income Tax on the benefit of having a company car, not VED. However, the Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) rate is directly tied to CO2 emissions:

CO2 (g/km)	BiK Rate 2026-27
0 (EV)	2%
1–50 (PHEV)	5%
51–75	8%
76–94	12%
95–99	13%
100–104	14%
...	...
255+	37%

Example: A 40% taxpayer with a £60,000 car emitting 200g/km pays £60,000 × 37% × 40% = £8,880 per year in BiK tax.

How CO2 Emissions Are Measured

New cars registered from 2018 onwards use the WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) combined figure. This is typically 10-20% higher than the old NEDC figure, meaning some cars appear in higher tax bands under WLTP than they would have under NEDC.

Scotland and Northern Ireland

In Scotland, vehicles may be subject to the Scottish Variable Rate (SVR) at first registration if their CO2 emissions exceed certain thresholds. The SVR replaces the standard first-year VED rate in Scotland only. Northern Ireland follows the same VED system as England and Wales.

Conclusion

The UK VED system in 2026 offers a clear gradient from £0 for zero-emission vehicles in year 1 to £5,690 for the highest-emission cars. From year 2, all vehicles converge on the £200/year standard rate. Use our Car Tax Calculator to estimate VED costs for specific vehicles.

Disclaimer: VED rates confirmed by DVLA for April 2026. Confirm rates with DVLA before vehicle purchase.

Official Resources: DVLA VED Tables | GOV.UK Vehicle Tax