How is vehicle tax calculated on CO2 emissions?

CO2 emissions only affect the first year rate for cars registered after April 2017. Rates range from £0 for zero emissions to £2,745 for 255+ g/km. From year 2, most vehicles pay a flat standard rate regardless of emissions. Non-RDE2 compliant diesels pay a higher first year rate.

Vehicle Tax Calculator UK 2025/26

Calculate your UK car tax (Vehicle Excise Duty) based on CO2 emissions, fuel type, and vehicle registration period.

Fuel Type

RDE2 diesels meet stricter real-world emissions tests

CO2 Emissions (g/km)

Found on V5C logbook or vehicle specs

List Price When New (£)

Original list price including options & VAT

Registration Status

Fuel Type

CO2 Emissions (g/km)

Engine Size

Fuel Type

2025/26 Vehicle Tax Rates (VED Bands)

First year rates based on CO2 emissions for vehicles registered on or after 1 April 2017:

CO2 Emissions	Petrol/RDE2 Diesel	Non-RDE2 Diesel	Alternative Fuel
0 g/km (Electric)	£0	—	£0
1-50 g/km	£10	£30	£0
51-75 g/km	£30	£135	£20
76-90 g/km	£135	£175	£125
91-100 g/km	£175	£195	£165
101-110 g/km	£195	£220	£185
111-130 g/km	£220	£270	£210
131-150 g/km	£270	£680	£260
151-170 g/km	£680	£1,095	£670
171-190 g/km	£1,095	£1,650	£1,085
191-225 g/km	£1,650	£2,340	£1,640
226-255 g/km	£2,340	£2,745	£2,330
Over 255 g/km	£2,745	£2,745	£2,735

Standard Rates (Year 2 onwards)

Fuel Type	Annual Rate
Petrol or Diesel	£190
Electric (until April 2025)	£0
Alternative Fuel (Hybrid, LPG)	£180

Additional Costs	Amount
Expensive Car Supplement (>£40k)	+£410/year
Supplement Duration	5 years (Year 2-6)
Monthly Payment Admin	+5%

Electric Vehicle Tax Changes from April 2025

Important Changes Coming

The government has announced significant changes to EV taxation from 1 April 2025. Electric vehicle owners should prepare for these new costs.

Now - Mar 2025

Zero VED for EVs

Electric vehicles pay no vehicle tax. £10 discount on alternative fuel vehicles.

1 April 2025

EVs Start Paying VED

New EVs: Lowest first year rate. Existing EVs: Move to standard rate (£190).

1 April 2025

Expensive Car Supplement

EVs with list price over £40,000 will pay the £410 supplement for years 2-6.

1 April 2025

Alternative Fuel Discount Ends

The £10 discount for alternative fuel vehicles will be abolished.

Impact on Popular EVs

Vehicle	List Price	Current Tax	From April 2025
Tesla Model 3 Standard Range	£39,990	£0	£190/year
Tesla Model Y Long Range	£51,990	£0	£600/year*
BMW iX xDrive50	£87,850	£0	£600/year*
MG4 EV SE	£26,995	£0	£190/year

*Includes £410 expensive car supplement (years 2-6)

Vehicle Tax for Older Cars

Cars Registered March 2001 - April 2017

These vehicles are taxed based on CO2 emissions bands:

Band	CO2 (g/km)	Petrol/Diesel	Alternative
A	Up to 100	£0	£0
B	101-110	£20	£10
C	111-120	£35	£25
D	121-130	£160	£150
E	131-140	£190	£180
F	141-150	£210	£200
G	151-165	£255	£245
H	166-175	£305	£295
I	176-185	£350	£340
J	186-200	£415	£405
K	201-225	£440	£430
L	226-255	£700	£690
M	Over 255	£735	£725

Cars Registered Before March 2001

These vehicles are taxed based on engine size only:

Engine Size	Annual Rate
1549cc or less	£200
1550cc or more	£325

How to Pay Vehicle Tax

Payment Options

Annual Payment
Full amount upfront - best value
Six Monthly
Two payments per year +5% surcharge
Monthly (Direct Debit)
Spread cost +5% surcharge

Where to Tax Your Vehicle

Online
gov.uk/vehicle-tax - quickest method
Phone
DVLA automated line: 0300 123 4321
Post Office
Selected branches with V5C or V11

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is car tax in the UK for 2025/26?

For most petrol and diesel cars registered after 1 April 2017, the standard annual rate is £190 from year 2 onwards. First year rates vary from £0 to £2,745 based on CO2 emissions. Electric vehicles currently pay £0 until April 2025, when they'll start paying the standard rate. Alternative fuel vehicles get a £10 discount.

What is the expensive car supplement and does it apply to me?

If your vehicle had a list price over £40,000 when new (including optional extras and VAT, but before first registration discount), you pay an additional £410 per year on top of the standard rate. This 'expensive car supplement' applies for 5 years from year 2 of registration (years 2-6). Electric vehicles are currently exempt but will pay from April 2025.

What is RDE2 and why does it matter for diesel cars?

RDE2 (Real Driving Emissions 2) is a stricter emissions testing standard that measures pollutants under real-world driving conditions. Diesel cars that meet RDE2 standards pay the same first year rate as petrol cars. Non-RDE2 diesels pay a higher first year rate (one band higher) due to their higher real-world emissions. Your dealer or manufacturer can confirm if your diesel is RDE2 compliant.

When will electric cars start paying road tax?

From 1 April 2025, electric vehicles will start paying VED. New EVs will pay the lowest first year rate (currently £10 for 1-50g/km), then the standard rate (£190 in current terms) from year 2. EVs with a list price over £40,000 will also become liable for the expensive car supplement (£410/year for years 2-6). The £10 alternative fuel discount will also be abolished.

Can I pay my car tax monthly?

Yes, you can pay monthly by Direct Debit if your annual rate is £30 or more. There's a 5% surcharge for spreading payments (same for 6-monthly payments). For example, a £190 annual rate becomes £199.50 total when paid monthly (12 payments of about £16.63). Payments are taken on or just after the 1st of each month.

How do I find my car's CO2 emissions?

You can find your car's CO2 emissions on: your V5C registration certificate (logbook), the vehicle's emissions label in the engine bay, the manufacturer's specifications, or by entering your registration at gov.uk/get-vehicle-information-from-dvla. For new cars, CO2 figures are measured under WLTP testing; older cars used NEDC.

What happens if I don't tax my vehicle?

Driving an untaxed vehicle is a criminal offence. You could receive an £80 fixed penalty (rising to £1,000 at court), have your vehicle clamped and impounded (£100 release fee plus £25/day storage), or have your vehicle crushed if unclaimed. DVLA uses automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras to detect untaxed vehicles.

Is vehicle tax refundable if I sell my car?

Yes, if you sell, transfer, or SORN your vehicle, you can claim a refund for any full remaining months of tax. Refunds are automatic when you notify DVLA of a sale using the V5C/2 section. The new owner must tax the vehicle before driving it, even if there's tax remaining from your ownership—vehicle tax no longer transfers with the car.

Michael Wright

MIMI, IMI Certified Master Technician

Michael is a qualified automotive expert and member of the Institute of the Motor Industry. With over 15 years in the motor trade, he provides accurate guidance on vehicle taxation and running costs.

Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on DVLA VED rates for 2025/26. Actual tax may vary based on specific vehicle details. Always verify with DVLA or gov.uk for official rates. Information about future tax changes is based on government announcements and may be subject to change. This calculator is for guidance only and should not be considered tax advice.

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Vehicle Tax Calculator UK 2025/26 | Car Tax (VED) Rates & Bands