The high upfront cost of the new models means almost all EV owners will be caught out including those securing models in the second-hand car market.
Auto Express Editor Paul Barker has rallied for changes as he warned many electric car owners might be unaware of the fee until it’s too late.
Paul explained: “Regardless of the price paid for a used EV, the car will be liable if it was originally bought for more than £40,000 (the current level for the VED), and the vast majority are going to be caught up in this extra charge.
“Some used EV buyers may not even know about the extra £410 a year cost until they go to tax their vehicles.”
A Freedom of Information request to the DVLA revealed that a whopping 31 percent of motorists are currently caught out by the charge.
However, under the current system, this could rise to 70 percent of electric models in a hefty blow to owners.
This would add more than £2,000 in bills over five years but could crucially encourage many road users against transitioning to EVs.
Recent data from motoring experts at Carwow found that 20 just 20 percent of motorists were considering an electric vehicle as their next model.
Meanwhile, around 43 percent of those polled claimed costs were the biggest factor in their decision.
Paul added: “Private and used vehicle uptake of EVs is not yet in a position to start adding cost barriers; more needs to be done to encourage drivers to move to this still-fledgling technology, not give another reason to hold off from making the shift.
“There are currently too many reasons for drivers to not make the switch, and this is yet another to add to the list.
“We therefore echo the SMMT’s call to remove this punitive tax that will impact the uptake of electric vehicle and provide additional cost likely to dissuade consumers from the very vehicles the Government wants them to adopt.”
