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Electric Everything: The UK’s New Vehicle Excise Duty (VED)

2025’s Now Got an Annual Charging Station Fee for Plug-In Electric Motorcycles

A view of an electric motorcycle plugged in for a charge. Media sourced from Autocar.
A view of an electric motorcycle plugged in for a charge. Media sourced from Autocar.

Back in early 2021, we covered EU’s use of grants to entice fossil fuel riders to go zero; now, with the reduction of those same grants (and a subsequent MVP move from Zero Motorcycles to cover the dropped subsidy) comes an additional blow following the government’s Autumn Statement. 

A view of an electric motorcycle plugged in for a charge. Media sourced from GreenFleet.
A view of an electric motorcycle plugged in for a charge. Media sourced from GreenFleet.

Starting in 2025, riders in the UK will have to pay for the privilege of plugging in their electric motorcycles, with the amount for zero emission motorcycles and tricycles currently logged as £22 per annum, “although we will see more budgets and the potential for an election before the charges come into force” (via MCN). 

A zero machine being taken out for a spin on a cloudy day. Media sourced from Autoweek.
A zero machine being taken out for a spin on a cloudy day. Media sourced from Autoweek.

It’s a tolerable fee; should this become a regular levy, we imagine that the widely differing reductions and tax incentives currently offered across the continent will also adjust to acommodate our future’s zero-emission scoots.

What do you think?

Be sure to comment down below, and as ever – stay safe on the twisties. 

*Media sourced from Autocar, GreenFleet and Autoweek*
  1. In Europe, gas, fuel and all the subsquent iterations are heavily taxed. Roughly, around 70% of the price being taxes… Leading in France to be the 4th tax collected !
    Obviously, the governments won’t let these revenues dry while the EVs will expand. Please bear in mind that by 2035, IC engine new car sales will be banned within the European Union (Nothing had yet been decided for the motorbikes).
    In such respect, taxes will be obviously have to expand to maintain the budget income. Therefore, the British excise duty tax is probably a first step to a broader tax scheme.

    Furthermore, the present grants and tax incentive for Evs will have to disappear as they will become the only one possible to use. You also need to learn that older ICE vehicles are more and more banned from Low Emission Zones that are implemented, reducing the freedom of movment for the people reluctant or not wealthy enough to trnasition to Evs. EG. by 2024 and 2030, Diesel and then gas ICE vehicles will be totally banned from the whole Paris and suburbs area (more than 7 million inhabitants, while over 1 million workers come daily from outside the area).

    Sadly, it seems the move from ICE to EV vehicles will bring a reverse of the democratization of personnal transportation seen from the start of the XXth century, as the price of Evs is at least twice of the ICE equivalent.

    1. Hey again Frederic,

      Again, loving reading your content; some insightful stuff, especially in the prediction of tax expansion and knowledge of non-local labour to the EU.

      To your last; I wouldn’t be so sure that all ISE vehicles will be expensive. I also anticipate an inflation of versatile batteries and aftermarket potential – and that’s notwithstanding the various brands trying for cheaper electric builds.

      Interested to continue this chat at a later date, especially as I have less knowledge in the market of the Central Hemisphere’s two-wheeled industry.

      Cheers and have a great week,

      Amanda

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