Electric Vehicles owners thought they’d be saving money from fuel tax, but a new electric vehicle tax is set to begin in a small part of the UK soon, raising questions about where the rest of the UK stands towards electric vehicles in the future.
Over at the Isle of Man, zero emission vehicles will receive a £14 charge, starting in April this year. The infrastructure prime minister, Ray Harmer, revealed to the Isle of Man parliament that an electric vehicle tax is essential to replace those funds which would come from petrol and diesel vehicles, believed to “rapidly decrease over the next 10 years.”
Currently, there are 280 electric vehicles and 706 hybrid vehicles registered on the island.
As it stands the island currently has 280 electric vehicles registered, alongside 706 hybrids, and this is expected to increase quickly over the next decade.
It was only a few months back in October where a national debate on road pricing was discussed, courtesy of the UK House of Commons’ Transport Committee. One idea suggested was a pay-as-you-drive road tax, and the Isle of Man’s upcoming tax seems to fit the bill.
Furthermore, it’s predicted that electric vehicles may end up incurring costs of around £700 or more, due to nationwide tolls being in full effect, so the above policy is simply a taste of what could unfold.
Mr Harmer described the encouragement for the public to purchase greener vehicles, alongside the developing responsibilities of road maintenance, as a “difficult balance” – such schemes as these might very well marginalise those of a lower income for example, essentially endorsing a return to cheaper, pollution causing rides.
So how will this affect the rest of us?
The answer is it won’t in the short term. The Isle of Man’s new incentive will certainly be turning the heads of many across the UK, as they’ll want to see what strengths and weaknesses it might have. A successful trial will almost certainly encourage it to be adopted nationwide, and a bit city like London will be keen not to lose any funds normally brought from petrol and diesel cars.
For now, the electric vehicle might save you money, with a cheaper fuel and no fuel tax, but it seems the electric vehicle tax will be a reality sooner rather than later.