How Much Will Electric Car Tax Be in 2026?
Electric cars used to be “free” for road tax, but that changed — so if you’re weighing up an EV in 2026, it’s smart to know what you’ll actually pay. You can view our current electric car stock here.
In the UK, “car tax” usually means Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). What you pay in 2026 depends mainly on when the car was first registered and its original list price when new.
The headline 2026 figures
For zero-emission (electric) cars first registered on or after 1 April 2025, the official VED tables show:
First year rate:£10 (tax year 2026–27)
Standard rate (year 2 onwards):£200 per year (tax year 2026–27)
So, a typical EV first registered from April 2025 will usually be:
£10 in year 1
£200 per year from year 2 (from 1 April 2026 rates
What you’ll pay in 2026, depending on the EV’s registration date
1) EVs registered on or after 1 April 2025
Year 1: £10
Years 2+: £200 per year (2026–27 tax year rates)
2) EVs registered between 1 April 2017 and 31 March 2025
These moved onto the standard rate from April 2025 rules. (So in 2025/26 it’s £195; the 2026/27 tables show £200.)
3) EVs registered between 1 March 2001 and 31 March 2017
£20 per year (per DVLA guidance)
The “luxury car tax” (Expensive Car Supplement) and EVs in 2026
This is the bit that catches people out.
From 2026, zero-emission cars only pay the Expensive Car Supplement if their list price when new was over £50,000 (petrol/diesel threshold remains £40,000). The supplement is £440 per year, paid in years 2 to 6 (on top of the standard rate).
So in 2026–27, an “expensive” EV can be:
£200 standard rate + £440 supplement = £640 per year (years 2–6), if it originally cost over £50,000
A couple of quick examples
Example A: Used EV originally £32,000 (list price when new), first registered 2025
2026 tax year (year 2): £200
Example B: Used EV originally £55,000 (list price when new), first registered 2025
2026 tax year (year 2): £200 + £440 = £640
Example C: Older EV (first registered 2016, zero-emission)
2026 vehicle tax: £20 per year (this is the rate for electric/zero-emission cars registered between 1 March 2001 and 31 March 2017).
Helpful tip (especially for used EV buyers)
The Expensive Car Supplement is based on the car’s original list price when new, not what you pay for it used — so it’s worth checking the “when new” price if you’re looking at premium models.
If you’re comparing EV options, you can browse what we currently have here: Electric cars in stock.
Final thought
In 2026, most electric cars will pay VED like other cars, with many EVs sitting at £200 per year after the first year (and £10 in year 1 for newer registrations). Higher-end EVs can cost more due to the £440 “expensive car” supplement if they originally cost over £50,000.
To explore EVs available now, browse our stock online — and if you’d like to chat through running costs and what to expect, you can visit our showroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) Do electric cars pay road tax in 2026?
Yes — most EVs now pay Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), with the amount depending on the car’s registration date and list price when new.
2) What is the standard EV road tax rate in 2026?
For many EVs registered from April 2025, it’s typically £10 in year 1, then the standard rate applies from year 2 (shown as £200 for 2026–27).
3) Why do some electric cars cost much more to tax?
Because of the Expensive Car Supplement—if the EV’s list price when new was over £50,000, an extra £440 per year is added in years 2–6.
4) Is the “luxury” supplement based on what I pay for the car used?
No — it’s based on the car’s original list price when new, even if you buy it second-hand for much less.
5) Are older electric cars cheaper to tax?
Often, yes — some older EVs (registered between 2001 and 2017) can be £20 per year under the older VED rules.