New tax laws are coming into effect from April
Drivers are being urged to ensure they understand upcoming vehicle tax hikes which could see them having to fork out hundreds of pounds more.
Increases affecting certain cars will come into force from April.
Among those subject to higher tax bills will be new cars in their first year or registration.
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The Government is imposing massive hikes on some of these cars, particularly those which pump out higher rates of emissions.
For these motors, the first-year tax rate will be doubling.
Tax is always higher in the first year before falling to the standard rate but owners of new cars will have to pay more.
It will be worth taking into consideration when buying a new car as there will be added costs involved.
Owners of new cars with emissions levels above 76-90g/KM will see big increases in tax payments.
This is when they start to double compared with 2024/25 rates.
The 76-90g/KM charge will rise to £270 from £135.
The higher emissions levels climb, the more drivers will have to fork out (see full table below).
There’s also a big rise for cars with 51-75g/KM – up a whopping £100 from the previous £30 to £130.
Government changes are all about targeting higher polluting motors which emit higher levels of CO2.
It’s hoped higher tax costs will convince more motorists to switch to greener or electric alternatives.
However, electric car owners are also being made to pay vehicle tax for the first time from April – but the first year charge is much cheaper at £10 before rising to the standard £195 rate currently paid by petrol and diesel drivers.
CO2 (g/KM) range and new cost
- 1-50 – £110 (+£100)
- 51-75 – £130 (+£100)
- 76-90 – £270 (+£135)
- 91-100 – £350 (+£175)
- 101-110 – £390 (+£195)
- 111-130 – £440 (+£220)
- 131-150 – £540 (+£270)
- 151-170 – £1,360 (+£680)
- 171-190 – £2,190 (+£1,095)
- 191-225 – £3,300 (+£1,650)
- 226-255 – £4,680 (+£2,340)
- 256+ – £5,490 (+£2,745)