VED and Road Tax Rates 2026 — Complete UK Guide
Vehicle Excise Duty rates changed in April 2026. Here is exactly what you will pay for petrol, diesel, hybrid, and electric vehicles — including first-year rates, ongoing annual rates, and the premium car supplement for vehicles over £40,000.
What Is Vehicle Excise Duty (VED)?
Vehicle Excise Duty — commonly called road tax or car tax — is an annual tax levied on most UK-registered vehicles. It is collected by the DVLA and must be in place before a vehicle can legally be driven on a public road. Failure to tax a vehicle (or declare it SORN if keeping it off-road) is a criminal offence under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994.
VED is calculated based on CO2 emissions for most vehicles, with different rate structures applying to first registration (first-year rates) and subsequent years (standard rates). From April 2025, electric vehicles lost their VED exemption and are now taxed at the lowest standard rate, with a full standard rate applying from 2026.
Standard Annual Rates from April 2026
For all vehicles registered after April 2017, the standard annual rate from April 2026 is:
| Fuel Type | Standard Rate (2026/27) |
|---|---|
| Petrol or diesel | £195 |
| Electric vehicle | £195 |
| Hybrid (petrol/diesel) | £195 |
| Alternative fuel (LPG) | £185 |
Premium Car Supplement
Vehicles with a list price over £40,000 when new are subject to an additional supplement of £620 per yearfor the first five years after the vehicle's first registration (years two through six). This applies regardless of fuel type, including electric vehicles.
First-Year Rates (Showroom Tax)
Vehicles registered from April 2025 onwards pay a "showroom tax" rate in their first year of registration, based on CO2 emissions. These rates incentivise cleaner vehicles at the point of first purchase.
| CO2 Emissions | First-Year Rate (2026/27) |
|---|---|
| 0g/km (zero emission) | £10 |
| 1–50g/km | £110 |
| 51–75g/km | £130 |
| 76–90g/km | £195 |
| 91–100g/km | £215 |
| 101–110g/km | £240 |
| 111–130g/km | £290 |
| 131–150g/km | £480 |
| 151–170g/km | £745 |
| 171–190g/km | £1,280 |
| 191–225g/km | £1,815 |
| 226–255g/km | £2,745 |
| Over 255g/km | £5,490 |
Electric Vehicle Road Tax from 2026
Electric vehicles lost their VED exemption in April 2025 and are now taxed at the lowest first-year rate of £10 when new, moving to the standard rate of £195 per year from year two onwards. This represents a significant change from the previous zero-rate exemption.
For EVs registered before April 2025, the standard £195 annual rate now applies — no longer zero. If you are buying a used electric vehicle, factor the ongoing tax cost into your total cost of ownership calculation alongside insurance, charging, and servicing.
How to Check a Vehicle's Road Tax Status
You can check whether any UK vehicle is currently taxed, SORN, or untaxed for free using VEHIXA's car tax checker. Enter the registration number to see the current tax status and expiry date — essential before buying any used vehicle.
An untaxed vehicle cannot legally be driven on a public road. If you are buying a car that is currently SORN, you must tax it before driving it away — which requires the V5C to be transferred to your name first.