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UK TAX · 2026/27

Electric car road tax UK: what EV drivers pay in 2026/27

Electric cars are no longer exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty. What you pay now depends on the registration date, and higher-list-price cars can also enter the expensive car supplement window.

New EV registered from 1 April 2025£10 first year, then £200 standard rate
EV registered 1 April 2017–31 March 2025£200 standard rate
EV registered 1 March 2001–31 March 2017£20 annual rate
List price above £50,000Additional rate can apply for five years from year two

The registration date matters

Do not assume every used EV has the same tax treatment. The DVLA bands distinguish cars first registered before April 2017, from April 2017 to March 2025, and from April 2025 onward. Check the V5C registration date rather than relying on an advert.

Watch the original list price

For a zero-emission vehicle registered on or after 1 April 2025, a list price above £50,000 can trigger the additional rate. Discounts negotiated at purchase do not necessarily change the official list-price test. Options can also matter, so confirm the recorded list price before ordering.

Budget beyond the headline price

Compare tax alongside finance interest, insurance, tyres, depreciation and charging. A car with a low monthly payment can still be the more expensive ownership choice.

Primary reference

DVLA — vehicle tax for electric and low-emission vehicles. Checked 30 October 2026. Rules and rates can change; confirm the live source before a purchase or tax decision.