Road tax was never about the fuel a vehicle used.Steam Lorries paid the same duty as Petrol and Diesel lorries of the same era.HGVs pay by axle loading. Cars were once a flat rate but have now been made wholly confusing by all sort of categories in a rather messy attempt at dealing with emissions.Ironically the GLA want to add a surcharge on vehicles that are currently low rated, and a ban on vehicles that meet the current MoT national emission requirement.But Electric cars use the roads and place were and tear in exactly the same way as any other vehicle. Some hybrids and electric vehicles are so heavy that they inflict a lot more wear and tear on road infrastructure as do SUVs and large 4WDsSo if we all switched to Hybrid and Electric, who would pay for the upkeep of the infrastructure?Just like now, instead of road tax and fuel duties being hiked up constantly.Charging points and access and means of propulsion will all eventually be charged to the same degree.So at best it will only ever be a short term gain switching modes. But the current outlay Versus the short term low tax rate is not really a prudent move.Borne out by the changes TfL have made to LPG and low emission cars Congestion charge exemptions ... ended before any possible return could be recovered by owners investment.
Raymond Havelock ● 2741d