Carbuyer survey shows buyers unaware of road tax changes

A new survey by Carbuyer has found consumers are largely unaware of the forthcoming road-tax changes, which will affect all new cars sold from April.

The new VED system will only be free for vehicles with no tailpipe emissions - that means electric and hydrogen cars only.

All other vehicles will pay a standard rate of £140 a year.

An additional rate will be added to the vehicle tax for all new vehicles (including Zero Emissions) with a list price of over £40,000. This additional rate of £310 will be payable each year for 5 years from the end of the first vehicle licence. After the 5 year period the standard rate will apply.

Tax rates for vehicles registered before 1st April 2017 will not be affected by this change.

More than 4,000 people took part in Carbuyers's online poll, which asked readers how informed they were about the new road tax changes. Just 6 per cent of respondents were fully aware of it.