The DVLA has issued a message to millions of road users affected by new Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) updates which came into effect this month. Widespread updates have seen fees rise across the board for petrol, diesel and  electric car owners with EVs slapped with charges for the first time. 

Previously, electric car owners were exempt from VED rates but owners now pay the same standard charge as combustion owners. In a simple message, the DVLA reminded unaware road users of the  car tax changes to ensure individuals were not caught out by the higher bills. According to the data, the UK has around 1.4million registered electric cars, making up around 4.25% of the total vehicles on the road.

The DVLA wrote on X: "Vehicle tax has changed for electric and low emission vehicles. See how these changes affect you."

However, electric car owners will still pay different amounts of VED depending on when their model was first registered. 

Brand new models registered from April 2025 will enjoy the lowest first year rate of just £10 before switching to the standard VED rate from year two. 

This has gone up from £190 to £195 and is also paid by the owners of EVs first registered after 2017.

However, there are some discounts, with those holding the keys to older electric cars registered between 2001 and 2017 paying a flat fee of just £20.

In a post online, the DVLA added: "Electric, zero and low emission cars, vans and motorcycles are now subject to the vehicle tax rates that were introduced on 1 April 2025. This change applies to both new and existing vehicles.

"The amount you’ll need to pay depends on the type of vehicle and when it was registered."

Many electric car owners are also at the risk of being slapped with an extra £425 bill in a major blow. 

The Expensive Car Supplement (ECS) is an additional charge issued between the second and sixth years of any new EVs registered after April 2025 with a list piece of over £40,000.

The high upfront cost of electric vehicles means many could be pushed over the threshold, sending total bills to £620 per year. 

The DVLA added: "New electric and zero-emission vehicles registered on or after 1 April 2025 with the list price exceeding £40,000 attract the standard rate, plus the expensive car supplement for the first 5 years from the start of the second licence."