Electric vehicles (EVs) were promoted by the UK Government as the future of cleaner and more affordable transport. Many people made the switch in good faith — often at significant personal cost — on the understanding that EVs would be cheaper to run and supported as part of our transition to a lower-carbon future.

However, the recent introduction of Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax) for EVs, alongside the 3p-per-mile road usage charge, represents a clear reversal of this commitment.

For many drivers, especially those who commute long distances for work or do not have access to home charging, these costs will make EV ownership as expensive as petrol and diesel, removing the very incentive to switch. This shift will:

Punish working people who rely on their vehicles daily
Disproportionately impact households without driveways, who must pay 20% VAT on public charging
Undermine environmental goals by discouraging further EV adoption
Create a two-tier system where only low-mileage and higher-income drivers benefit
This is not about refusing to contribute to the upkeep of our roads — it is about fairness.
Policies should support the transition to cleaner transport, not penalise those who already acted responsibly.

We call on the Government to:
Suspend the proposed 3p-per-mile charge
Reconsider road tax for EVs until adoption is more widespread
Reduce VAT on public EV charging to 5% to match home electricity rates
Introduce a fair mileage allowance to avoid penalising essential travel
People trusted the Government when they were encouraged to switch to EVs. That trust must be respected.
These changes are not just harmful — they risk reversing years of progress.

Sign this petition to demand fair and consistent EV policy that supports working people, not punishes them.