Petrol, diesel and electric car drivers risk forking out huge £5,690 bill amid car tax hike

Drivers looking to get behind the wheel of a new car could face huge costs when registering their vehicle for the first time, regardless of the powertrain.In April, new car tax rates were introduced in keeping with tradition, as first year rates increased in line with inflation for new purchases of vehicles.Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed that Vehicle Excise Duty and first year rates would rise in line with inflation during last year's Autumn Budget, with new rates being introduced in the new financial year in April.When buying a new vehicle, whether it's a petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric car, motorists will need to pay the first year tax rate before paying the standard rate from there onwards. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say With more drivers investing in electric cars, motorists are benefitting from lower costs, as the Government keeps tax rates low to incentivise purchases and reinforce the structure of emissions-based charges.When buying a new electric car under £50,000, drivers can avoid the controversial Electric Car Supplement and will face a charge of just £10 for the first year in tax.Despite fluctuating inflation rates, electric car owners continue to pay low rates as the Government pushes for drivers to ditch their petrol and diesel cars.Motorists opting to buy new internal combustion engine vehicles will continue to face hefty costs, with the most polluting vehicles paying thousands of pounds.Any vehicles that emit more than 255g of CO2 per kilometre will now pay a staggering £5,690, a huge £200 hike compared to last year's price of £5,490.Labour changed the rules in 2024 to hike first year rates dramatically to incentivise the purchase of zero emission vehicles, with petrol and diesel rates above a certain emissions output, doubling.GB News has rounded up the expensive charges drivers face when buying a new petrol, diesel or electric car.LATEST DEVELOPMENTSMajor car brands recall 830,000 vehicles for issues including rare fire risk - Ford, Kia and moreCar thieves jailed for stealing high-value vehicles in nationwide crime spreeIconic car brand Lotus launches new facility to 'cement UK’s position as a global leader in auto innovation'First year car tax rates from April 1, 20260g/km - Remains at £101-50g/km - Rising from £110 to £11551-75g/km - Rising from £130 to £13576-90g/km - Rising from £270 to £28091-100g/km - Rising from £350 to £365101-110g/km - Rising from £390 to £405111-130g/km - Rising from £440 to £455131-150g/km - Rising from £540 to £560151-170g/km - Rising from £1,360 to £1,410171-190g/km - Rising from £2,190 to £2,270191-225g/km - Rising from £3,300 to £3,420226-255g/km - Rising from £4,680 to £4,850Over 255gkm - Rising from £5,490 to £5,690 Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter