Almost one month on from the government’s increase in road tax, questions are being raised as to how this will affect roads locally.
TUV party chairman, Cusher councillor Keith Ratcliffe, said: “The recent changes to car tax announced by the Government has resulted even in vehicles which historically have not had to pay tax having a bill to pay.
“No one will ever welcome additional taxation but now it has been introduced will the public see an improvement in our roads?
“As a local councillor, I am increasingly frustrated with the inability for the Department of Infrastructure to complete even the simplest tasks in relation to the network.
“With arrival of the good weather there will be an increase of bikers on the roads and potholes which can cause damage to cars become a threat to the life of motorcycles. Therefore the case for action is all the more pressing.
“With the increase in road tax the least motorists can expect are roads fit to drive on.”
Electric vehicles (EVs) and first-year tax rates are seeing the biggest changes in 2025, but hybrid, petrol and diesel car owners will also be affected.
One of the main changes is that EVs will now need to pay road tax and brand-new EVs need to pay the expensive car supplement (also called the ‘luxury car tax’) for the first time.
Electric cars registered on or after 1 April 2025 will pay £10 first-year road tax until 2029-30 (first-year road tax is based on emissions, and EVs are, of course, in the lowest band)
Electric cars registered between April 1, 2017 and March 31, 2025 will pay the standard-rate road tax of £195 from 1 April 1, 2025
Find out more on the tax changes here.
