A proposed “pay-per-mile” levy set to hit electric-vehicle (EV) owners starting in 2028 is stirring widespread frustration among drivers — many now say the measure might push them back to petrol or diesel cars.
Under the draft plan, EV drivers would pay 3 pence per mile, while plug-in hybrids face a 1.5 pence rate per mile driven. For the average EV user, this works out to around £250 to £280 a year.
The scheme aims to offset falling fuel-duty revenues as more motorists shift away from petrol and diesel vehicles. Under the proposal, EV owners would submit their expected annual mileage, pay upfront, then reconcile at year’s end based on actual miles driven.
To verify mileage data, the government plans to require regular odometer checks — even for vehicles that aren’t due for formal inspections. The requirement has prompted concerns over potential increased bureaucracy and privacy issues among motorists.
Industry analysts say the tax risks undercutting one of EVs’ major advantages: lower running costs. Early reactions suggest many drivers may reconsider EV ownership altogether if the levy proceeds.