🚗 UK VED Calculator (Road Tax) 2026/27

Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), commonly known as road tax or car tax, is an annual tax levied on most vehicles used or parked on public roads in the United Kingdom. Administered by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), VED has undergone significant reforms in recent years to incentivise the adoption of cleaner vehicles and discourage the purchase of high-emission cars. The current system ties the amount you pay directly to your vehicle's carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, measured in grams per kilometre (g/km), as recorded on the official WLTP certification.

For new cars registered on or after 1 April 2017, the first-year rate is determined entirely by the CO2 band of the vehicle. This first-year payment, sometimes called the 'showroom tax,' can range from zero for the cleanest electric vehicles to over £2,600 for the most polluting models. From the second year onwards, a flat standard rate applies (£195 for petrol and diesel cars for the 2026/27 tax year). Electric vehicles, which were previously exempt from VED entirely, became subject to road tax from April 2025: they pay a £10 first-year rate followed by the £195 standard rate in subsequent years.

An additional layer of complexity comes from the Expensive Car Supplement. If a vehicle has a manufacturer's published list price exceeding £40,000, an extra £410 per year is added to the standard rate for the first five years (years 2 through 6 after registration). This supplement applies regardless of the vehicle's CO2 emissions or fuel type, though electric vehicles are now also subject to it.

Alternative fuel vehicles, such as hybrid cars that run on a combination of petrol or diesel with an electric motor, receive a £10 discount on the standard rate, bringing their ongoing annual charge to approximately £135. It is important to note that VED rates are reviewed and adjusted annually by HM Treasury, so the figures presented in this calculator are approximate for the 2026/27 tax year and should be verified against the latest official rates published by the UK government.

This calculator determines your VED liability using the official CO2-band lookup tables for the 2026/27 tax year. Below are the first-year rates for new petrol and diesel cars:

Standard rates (year 2 onwards):

Expensive Car Supplement: If the vehicle's list price exceeds £40,000, add £410 per year for years 2 through 6 after registration.

1. Enter your vehicle's CO2 emissions in grams per kilometre (g/km) as shown on the V5C certificate.
2. Select the fuel type: petrol, diesel, electric, or alternative fuel (hybrid).
3. Choose whether this is the first year of registration or a subsequent year.
4. Enter the manufacturer's list price to check if the expensive car supplement applies.
5. Click Calculate to see your VED amount, rate breakdown, and applicable notes.

What is VED?

Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) is the annual road tax charged on most vehicles used or parked on public roads in the UK. The amount depends on CO2 emissions and fuel type.

Do electric vehicles pay road tax in 2026?

Yes. From April 2025, electric vehicles are no longer exempt. They pay a £10 first-year rate and then the standard £195 per year thereafter, including the expensive car supplement if applicable.

What is the expensive car supplement?

An additional £410 per year is charged for vehicles with a list price over £40,000. This supplement applies from year 2 to year 6 after first registration.

How much is the alternative fuel discount?

Alternative fuel vehicles, such as hybrids, receive a £10 discount on the standard rate, reducing the annual charge from £195 to £135 from the second year onwards.

Are VED rates the same across the UK?

Yes, VED rates are set by the UK government and apply across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Can I pay VED monthly?

Yes, you can spread the cost via Direct Debit in monthly, quarterly, or annual instalments. There is a 5% surcharge for splitting payments compared to a single annual payment.

This tool is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Consult a qualified financial professional for advice specific to your situation.

When buying a new car, always check the official WLTP CO2 figure on the V5C certificate, as even a few g/km can push you into a significantly higher first-year band. Consider that a car emitting 109 g/km costs £190 in the first year, but one emitting just 111 g/km jumps to £230. The threshold of 50 g/km is particularly important for plug-in hybrid drivers, as staying at or below this level keeps your first-year payment minimal. If you are purchasing an electric vehicle, remember that from April 2025 the zero-rate exemption has ended and you will need to budget for £10 in year one and £195 per year thereafter. The expensive car supplement catches many buyers by surprise, as popular family SUVs and electric vehicles with premium trim levels often exceed the £40,000 threshold. If you are close to the boundary, check the exact list price published by the manufacturer before options and accessories.