15 July 2026
EVA England has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP, urging her to pause and rethink the proposed electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED), a pay-per-mile tax on electric vehicles due to come into force in April 2028.
The Government published its response to the eVED consultation on Monday, confirming it intends to press ahead with the scheme despite significant concerns raised by drivers.
Sent by Chief Executive Vicky Edmonds today, the letter sets out why eVED, in its current form, does not work for drivers, and why pressing ahead risks undermining confidence in electric vehicles at exactly the wrong moment.
The letter draws on evidence submitted by more than 2,400 EV drivers to the consultation, whose concerns about upfront mileage-based payments, third-party administration and refund arrangements were not adequately resolved by the Government’s response.
Dear Chancellor,
I am writing following the Government’s response to the eVED consultation to urge you to pause and re-think this policy before it is taken any further.
In its current form, eVED does not work for drivers – those who are ultimately being asked to pay this new tax. It is being introduced at the wrong time: at a critical point in the switch to electric, where real challenges such as access to affordable charging for nearly 40% of households have still not been dealt with and are presenting a considerable barrier to EV demand. This new charge risks making EV ownership feel even more expensive, complicated and uncertain to those who are already struggling or are sceptical about making the switch. Drivers are not being required to buy electric cars; they must have the confidence to choose them. Pressing ahead with an untested and burdensome tax risks weakening that confidence just as the Government needs consumer demand to grow.
EVA England submitted evidence from more than 2,400 drivers to the consultation. Their concerns were clear: 70% were worried about paying upfront on the basis of estimated mileage with no proper refund regime being proposed, while 77% did not want third parties such as leasing companies paying on their behalf because of the risk of extra costs and administration. More than half said the proposed policy affected whether they would recommend an EV.
The response does not give us confidence that these fundamental concerns have been heard. Removing additional mileage checks for vehicles under three years old is welcome, but it does not resolve the central problems: drivers could still be required to pay based on a guess, be left out of pocket when circumstances change, and navigate a system whose refund and reconciliation arrangements remain unclear.
Some elements of the design of the scheme may have been adjusted, but the policy remains too complex for drivers, who will ultimately pay for and bear the burden of this scheme. It is unfair to those with the least financial flexibility and is damagingly timed. Government should pause and re-think the scheme, delaying it until the real challenges to uptake have been tackled, and so that it is simple, proportionate and demonstrably workable for drivers before it proceeds.
Yours sincerely,
Vicky Edmonds
Chief Executive Officer, EVA England
At EVA England, we’re pushing back on a tax that risks making EV ownership feel more expensive and complicated for the very people the transition depends on.
From opposing changes that would undermine the ZEV Mandate, to tackling the cost barriers facing lower and middle income households, and pushing for fair and reliable public charging, our work spans every stage of the transition.
By becoming a member or donating directly to EVA England, you help strengthen our voice and support our work to keep EV drivers’ concerns at the heart of government decisions.
Together, we can make sure the switch to electric is fair for every driver.