Nearly 60 High-Emission Cars to Incur £5,690 Tax Bill from April 2026
Drivers of certain high-polluting vehicles are set to face a significant financial burden, with almost 60 models slated for a first-year Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) charge of £5,690 starting April 2026. This steep increase follows substantial reforms to tax rates implemented last year, which already saw some models hit with a £2,745 rise.
Government Policy Drives Tax Hikes
The UK government has opted to significantly raise first-year VED fees for petrol and diesel vehicles from April 2025 onwards, as part of a broader strategy to incentivize the transition to electric vehicles (EVs). These substantial sums are paid by buyers of new cars before reverting to the standard rate thereafter.
According to reports, the increases have been structured through a tiered system, with the highest bands seeing charges roughly double compared to 2024 levels. Vehicles emitting over 255 g/km of CO2 bore the brunt of the initial £2,745 hike, affecting some of the most popular cars on UK roads.
Impact on Major Manufacturers
The list of affected vehicles spans 24 manufacturers, including prominent names such as Ford, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, and Toyota. High-end models from luxury brands like Porsche, Lotus, Lamborghini, and McLaren are also among those facing the new charge.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveiled this policy as a means of encouraging motorists toward electric vehicle purchases and establishing a clearer distinction between 'higher polluting' cars and EVs. In her Budget speech, she stated: "To help drive the transition to electric vehicles the government is strengthening incentives to purchase EVs by widening the differentials in Vehicle Excise Duty First Year Rates between EVs and hybrids or internal combustion engine cars."
Detailed Tax Rate Changes
The first-year tax burden is calculated based on a vehicle's carbon dioxide emissions. Currently, electric vehicle drivers enjoy VED exemption, while cars emitting between 111g and 150g/km of CO2 are subject to a £220 charge. However, vehicles exceeding 255g/km face a hefty first-year levy of £5,490, expected to climb to £5,690 from April 2026.
Reforms introduced last April meant EV purchasers paid merely £10 for their first year's VED, a figure which has recently remained unchanged. In contrast, motorists with petrol, diesel, and hybrid vehicles are preparing for substantial hikes as these charges are scheduled to double.
A Treasury spokesman highlighted specific examples: from April 2025, purchasing a new Ford Puma could see the first-year VED cost surge from £220 to £440. For premium models like a Range Rover, the initial year's duty would soar from £2,745 to £5,490, with a subsequent increase to £5,690 anticipated.
Expected First-Year Vehicle Tax Rates from April 1, 2026
- 0g/km - Remains at £10
- 1-50g/km - Rising from £110 to £115
- 51-75g/km - Rising from £130 to £135
- 76-90g/km - Rising from £270 to £280
- 91-100g/km - Rising from £350 to £365
- 101-110g/km - Rising from £390 to £405
- 111-130g/km - Rising from £440 to £455
- 131-150g/km - Rising from £540 to £560
- 151-170g/km - Rising from £1,360 to £1,410
- 171-190g/km - Rising from £2,190 to £2,270
- 191-225g/km - Rising from £3,300 to £3,420
- 226-255g/km - Rising from £4,680 to £4,850
- Over 255g/km - Rising from £5,490 to £5,690
Following the first year, vehicles will be subject to the standard rate, projected at £200 (currently £195).
Full List of New Models Emitting Over 255 g/km
The comprehensive list includes vehicles from various luxury and mainstream brands, such as:
- Lamborghini Urus 4.0 V8 BiTurbo
- BMW X6 M 4.4 V8
- Ford Ranger 3.0 EcoBlue
- Mercedes-Benz G63
- Porsche 718 Cayman 4.0 GT4
- Audi R8 5.2 FSI V10
- Toyota Land Cruiser 2.8D
- Range Rover 4.4 P615 V8
- Jaguar F-Pace 5.0 P575 V8
- Lotus Emira 3.5 V6
- Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8
- Volkswagen Amarok 3.0 TDI
- Ferrari Roma 3.8T V8
- McLaren GT 4.0T V8
This policy shift underscores the government's commitment to reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable transport options, albeit at a significant cost to drivers of high-emission vehicles.
