Do you pay tax on an electric car?

For people who own, or are thinking of buying, an electric car.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

Yes. Since 1 April 2025, electric cars, vans, motorcycles and tricycles have had to pay vehicle tax.

When a new electric car is first registered, the first-year rate is £10.
Electric cars first registered on or after 1 April 2017 then pay the standard rate of £200 a year.
If the list price was over £50,000, you pay an extra £440 a year for 5 years, unless the car was registered before 1 April 2025.
Electric cars registered between 1 March 2001 and 31 March 2017 pay £20 a year.
Some disabled people can get vehicle tax free or at half price.

Key facts

First year: £10
Standard rate: £200 a year
Over £50,000: extra £440 a year
Cars from 2001 to 2017: £20 a year

What changed for electric cars

Electric cars used to be free to tax. From 1 April 2025, that exemption ended. Electric cars, vans, motorcycles and tricycles now pay vehicle tax (sometimes called road tax or car tax), like petrol and diesel vehicles. Hybrid cars pay vehicle tax too.

How much you pay depends on when the car was first registered and its list price. The list price is the published price of the car when new, not what you paid for it.

Current rates for electric cars (checked October 2026)

When first registered	What you pay
New car, first tax payment	£10 for the first year
On or after 1 April 2017 (second payment onwards)	£200 a year
On or after 1 April 2017, list price over £50,000	£640 a year (£200 plus £440) for 5 years
1 March 2001 to 31 March 2017	£20 a year

The extra £440, called the expensive car supplement, lasts for 5 years from the second time the car is taxed. It does not apply to a zero emission car registered before 1 April 2025. For petrol and diesel cars the price limit is £40,000, but for electric cars it is £50,000. This higher limit also covers electric cars registered between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026.

Ways to pay

How you pay	Standard rate	With the supplement
One payment for 12 months	£200	£640
12 monthly Direct Debits (total)	£210	£672
One payment for 6 months	£110	£352

Paying monthly costs a little more in total than paying once a year.

Worked examples

Example 1: You buy a new electric car with a list price of £42,000. You pay £10 in the first year. From the second year you pay £200 a year. You pay no supplement, because the price is under £50,000.

Example 2: You buy a new electric car with a list price of £60,000. You pay £10 in the first year. In years 2 to 6 you pay £640 a year, which is £3,200 over those 5 years. From year 7 you pay £200 a year. Over the first 6 years you pay £3,210 in total.

Who pays nothing or less

You can get vehicle tax free if you get, for example, the enhanced rate mobility part of PIP or Adult Disability Payment, or the higher rate mobility part of Disability Living Allowance. You get 50% off if you get the standard rate mobility part of PIP or Adult Disability Payment. You still have to tax it, even if you pay nothing.

How to tax an electric car

You tax it the same way as any other car: online, by phone or at a Post Office that offers vehicle tax. You need a reference number from your DVLA reminder, log book (V5C) or new keeper slip. The rates are the same across the UK. In Northern Ireland, if you tax at a Post Office you also need a paper insurance certificate or cover note, and an MOT certificate or temporary exemption certificate.

Related guides

Where these figures come from

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Common questions

Are electric cars still exempt from car tax?

No. From 1 April 2025, electric cars, vans, motorcycles and tricycles need to pay vehicle tax.

Do I pay the expensive car supplement on an electric car?

Only if its list price was over £50,000 and it was registered on or after 1 April 2025. It adds £440 a year for 5 years.

Do I still need to tax my electric car if I pay nothing?

Yes. You must tax your vehicle even if you do not have to pay.

Official sources

1.Vehicles exempt from vehicle tax (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/vehicle-exempt-from-vehicle-tax
2.Vehicle tax rates: cars registered on or after 1 April 2017 (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax-rate-tables/rates-for-cars-registered-on-or-after-1-april-2017
3.Vehicle tax rates: cars registered on or after 1 March 2001 (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax-rate-tables/rates-for-cars-registered-on-or-after-1-march-2001
4.Financial help if you're disabled: vehicles and transport (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/financial-help-disabled/vehicles-and-transport

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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