# Electric Vehicle Excise Duty: what changes from April 2028?

> The government says a mileage-based EV duty will apply from April 2028. Here is what drivers should understand now.

Canonical: https://motorbook.uk/articles/ev-road-tax-2028/
Last updated: 2026-09-25

Tax: EVs

The government says a mileage-based EV duty will apply from April 2028. Here is what drivers should understand now.

Nathan James · Published 25 September 2026 · Last checked 25 September 2026

TL;DR

The detailed rate and operation should be checked against the latest official guidance closer to the start date. Do not treat a future consultation response as a current bill.

The government says a mileage-based Electric Vehicle Excise Duty will apply to electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles from April 2028. This is a future tax change, not a reason to miss today’s vehicle-tax deadline.

## Why is the system changing?

Petrol and diesel drivers contribute through fuel duty as they use fuel. As more drivers move to electric vehicles, the government says the tax system needs a different way to raise equivalent road-use revenue.

## What should drivers do now?

Do not rely on old assumptions that an electric car never needs a tax check. Keep the vehicle taxed under the current rules, retain purchase and lease documents, and watch for official updates rather than social-media summaries.

## Compare the full ownership cost

For any vehicle, include likely tax, charging or fuel, insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation. A change that starts in 2028 should be modelled as a future ownership cost, not treated as a current bill.

**Motorbook tip:** Use a tax reminder for every vehicle, regardless of fuel type. The reminder is about staying compliant; the rate is whatever the official system says for that vehicle and date.

**Source:** [Read the original source](https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-the-introduction-of-electric-vehicle-excise-duty-eved/outcome/the-introduction-of-electric-vehicle-excise-duty-eved)

Motorbook is independent and is not affiliated with DVLA, DVSA or GOV.UK.

**Written by Nathan James**, the developer of Motorbook, an independent UK car-admin app for iPhone.

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