Car drivers could be hit with over £700 in new taxes – how much will I have to pay?

New taxes on cars and flying are likely to be introduced as part of proposals to reduce Britain’s transport emissions. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps unveiled his green plan on Wednesday, with a number of changes to be implemented over the coming years which aims to “decarbonise all modes of domestic transport by 2050”.

Mr Schapps said: ”This is a comprehensive yet urgent strategy to end transport’s contribution to climate change within the next three decades, showing global leadership, as we prepare to host [the international climate summit] COP26.”

In the plan, the Government intend to phase out polluting cars and vans by 2035 and all-new diesel and petrol heavy goods vehicles by 2040.

It comes as a £34 billion hole could be left as electric vehicles gain popularity, with the eventual goal of having electric cars replace fuel-based ones.

Electric vehicles are not subject to vehicle excise duty, and drivers to obviously not pay any fuel duty.

It is estimated the Government may need to recoup £765 per year in lost fuel duty, according to analysis by the AA.

The document acknowledges the task of needing to fill the gap – but there are reportedly disagreements between Government camps on how best to pay for the shortfall.

The Department for Transport has said any taxes bought in to plug the hole would be in the hands of the Treasury.

Among plans being considered is the introduction of a road pricing scheme – which could see motorists be forced to pay to drive via the use of tolls or per mile with in-vehicle tracking.

Meanwhile, electric car drivers are set to get a discount for recharging their batteries at unpopular hours to prevent power cuts and a high burden on the national grid.

The move is designed to stop the National Grid from experiencing catastrophic surges in demand and falling over in the move to decarbonise Britain.

Experts have warned that electric car drivers are all likely to want to plug in and recharge their wheels around the same time after work.

Ministers have been panicked over the spike in demand as UK motorists move from petrol to electric will cause the already overburdened system to blow completely.

Elsewhere, there is likely to be a rise in the cost of plane tickets.

This is because the plan promises to reconsider carbon prices to “help accelerate” the move to green fuels.

Also happening this year is the move from E5 to E10 petrol, affecting the majority of motors across the UK.

E10 will become the standard petrol from September, as part of the Government’s plans to create a greener UK and cut CO2 transmissions.

E5 unleaded petrol uses up to five percent bioethanol, but E10 petrol uses up to 10 percent bioethanol, making it more environmentally friendly.

source: express.co.uk