Martin Lewis’ free car tax notice urges millions of drivers to act before Easter Monday
Money Saving Expert founder Martin Lewis has issued an urgent notice to millions of drivers who could be exempt from the VED rate hike.
Martin Lewis has shared a tip that millions of drivers can follow to dodge next week's hike in Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), also known as car tax.
The esteemed money expert announced the advice on multiple platforms, including his podcast on BBC Sounds and ITV's The Martin Lewis Money Show.
He revealed an "urgent" reminder.
The financial adviser penned: "Urgent. Electric vehicle owner? Check NOW if you can get FREE tax for another year. If you've a zero-emission car, van or motorcycle first registered on or after 1 April 2017, and your 'tax' is due to start on 1 April (or 1 May in some cases), you can delay paying electric vehicle tax till 2026."
At present, owners of electric vehicles (EVs) pay no road tax. This means securing VED for your electrical vehicle is entirely free.
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However, this will change from 1 April 2025 when EVs will become liable for road tax.
As part of the announcements at the Autumn Budget in 2022, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt declared: "To make our motoring tax system fairer I've decided that electric vehicles will no longer be exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED)," Birmingham Live reports.
In order to secure a year's free tax, owners must renew their tax (which is currently gratis for EVs) before Monday 1 April 2024, coming Monday, according to the latest newsletter from Money Saving Expert."
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Money Saving Expert further suggested: "Then do the same again BEFORE Tuesday 1 April 2025 (be sure to make a note to remind yourself to do it), when it will still be free.
The DVLA said, "Doing this means you'll have pushed the deadline for paying tax on your EV back to when it's next due for renewal in the final week of March 2026."
For your vehicle to be exempt, the electricity should come from either an external source such as a private or public chargepoint, an electric storage battery not connected to any power source when the vehicle is moving, or hydrogen fuel cells. But remember, if your vehicle is hybrid electric, you must still pay the vehicle tax.
