With speculation rife that drivers will have to pay for every mile they drive under future Government plans to replace the loss in fuel duty as people switch from petrol and diesel to electric, experts have explained how you would be able to reduce the charge.
The Government has been urged to introduce a pay-per-mile tax that would charge drivers a fee based on the distances they drive, benefiting the environment and replacing lost revenue from fuel duty which isn;t paid by electric car drivers.
The Government has said it is not currently considering the plan, but experts have explained how you would be able to reduce the charges with your phone if it did happen.
Tom Church, Co-Founder of LatestDeals.co.uk, said: “If this pay-per-mile tax comes into force, we’re all going to have to become like Amazon delivery drivers with super smart routing. There’s a free online tool called MapQuest, where if you go to Route Planner you can enter multiple destinations and it’ll tell you the shortest way.”
He added: “Mileage tracking apps like MileIQ or TripLog monitor your driving habits and identify ways for you to reduce your miles. But the problem is, this is way beyond the skill set of many people, and the tax will punish those that have no alternative.”
Think tank the Resolution Foundation suggested a new ‘road duty’ for EVs – levied at around 6p per mile (plus VAT) – to offset the decline in fuel duty. But a Government spokesperson said: “We have no plans to introduce road pricing. We are committed to supporting our automotive sector as we transition to electric vehicles in order to meet our legally binding climate targets.”
Ben Nelmes, CEO of New AutoMotive, said: “It’s wrong to think that the transition to cleaner transport will take the public finances over a cliff edge. Electric cars aren’t a sin to be taxed but a boon for the economy.
“EVs can be good for motorists and the taxman – a win-win for people and the planet.”