Hundreds likely to ditch cars due to rising VED fees as move dubbed ‘tax on the poor’
Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) rates increased in April by around six percent with fees up by £140 for certain road users in a major blow.
Hundreds of disillusioned petrol and diesel motorists have pledged to give up driving over an increase in Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) car tax charges.
Almost one in five road users said they would be prepared to ditch their cars altogether after rates rose on April 1.
Effectively all combustion owners are affected by the roughly six percent increase as a result of the annual Retail Price Index (RPI) inflation rise.
Price rises vary depending on when a car was registered and how many emissions it produces.
However, some road users will be slapped with a £140 rise due to the update in a major blow to families still battling the cost of living crisis.
A new poll from Express.co.uk suggests that over 600 drivers are considering selling their cars as they cannot handle the rise in fees.
The survey found a staggering 16.07 percent of road users would think about ditching their models due to rising costs.
However, 76.34 percent said they would not be getting rid of their vehicle and would pay the added costs.
Just 7.59 percent admitted they are still undecided about where to go from here. Some Express readers called out the new charge with one suggesting the rise was simply a “tax on the poor”.
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@Ja50 wrote: “Cars are lifelines and the poor often really rely on older cars with no chance of affording electric or newer cars. Tax on the poor who are already struggling.”
@cos posted: “The rich want the poor forced off the road and then have them pay for it through taxation so they can get around easily.”
However, others revealed they were not prepared to give up their vehicles despite the fees with others appearing to defend the price rise.
@wokeblues explained: “Living in a rural area where buses run when they like, how am I supposed to ditch my car? They never give a thought to us!”
@MarkPalmer added: “Compare it to the cost of rent, food and utility bills the car is still [one] of the lowest costs to a household.”
Motorists owning brand-new petrol and diesel cars emitting over 255g/km will pay £2,745 in first-year VED fees compared to just £2.605 last year. The standard rate for models registered after April 2017 is up £10 from £180 to £190.
Meanwhile, rates for cars produced between 2001 and 2017 are up across the board with the highest increase around £40.
Richard Evans, head of technical services at webuyanycar warned drivers were prepared to change their transport choices as the cost of motoring continues to increase.
He explained: “The rise in vehicle excise duty by up to £140 in April will mean drivers face even higher motoring costs during an already expensive time. Our research shows that nine in ten (92 percent) drivers have seen motoring costs increase over the last 12 months with over one in ten (12 percent) considering selling their car as a result of these rising costs.”