Little-known trick can get you free car tax for a YEAR if you drive an EV – saving up to £195
MOTORISTS could save nearly £200 by using a little-known trick but time is running out to make use of the hack.
Electric vehicle owners will need to act before April if they want to make sure they do not need to fork out extra cash this Spring.
From April 1 regulation changes will see a shift for those exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty, the tax on owning a vehicle.
The new measure was announced at last year's Autumn Budget and could impact those who are in possession of cars, vans, motorcycles and even trade licenses.
At the moment, EV drivers are exempt from paying the tax but this has been set to change.
Depending on when an EV was registered, owners could face a fee of £195.
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Those registered before March 31 2017 will pay £20.
EVs registered between April 1 2017 and March 31 2025 will pay £195.
Meanwhile, those on or after April 1 2025 will pay £10 in the first year and then £195 afterwards.
Those hoping to sidestep this year's bill could re-tax their car before April 1.
This would then offer them another year before having to pay the tax bill.
Even those who have months left on their car tax could make use of the move meaning they save themselves a fair amount.
Those driving a registered EV would then save £195.
For anyone hoping to make the most of their hard-earned cash, the most effective way to make use of the hack is as close to the deadline as possible.
That way the renewal will last an entire year from that date, maximising the amount a driver will save.
To re-tax your vehicle you will need to visit the government website, making sure to have your vehicle's registration number and logbook to hand.
The five minute process could save you much higher figures in the long run.
With more EVs on the roads, owners will be charged similar rates to those who have opted for petrol or diesel.
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Anyone looking at purchasing a new EV may also want to take note as from April 1, an additional fee will be charged if the motor is priced above £40,000.
This will be on top of the tax rate and could cost up to £425 a year.
How is electric car tax changing?
THE amount drivers will have to pay depends on when their car hit the road for the first time
Those registered before March 31 2017 will pay £20.
Evs registered between April 1 2017 and March 31 2025 will pay £195.
Meanwhile, those on or after April 1 2025 will pay £10 in the first year and then £195 afterwards.
