Diesel Drivers Brace for Big Tax Hike from April! After last year’s massive overhaul of car tax, diesel owners are now next in the firing line. From April 1, all new diesel cars face a hefty tax rise — unless they meet the brand-new Euro 6 emissions standard under real driving emissions (RDE2) tests.
Here’s the kicker: no new diesels currently meet the RDE2 standard. That means every new diesel model will jump up a tax band, pushing up the cost sharply.
First Year Diesel Tax Up by Hundreds
The tax hike hits the all-important first-year “showroom tax,” which is based on CO2 emissions. Increases range from a modest £20 right up to a staggering £500-plus, depending on the car.
- A diesel Ford Focus (99g/km CO2) will see first-year tax rise from £120 to £145.
- A diesel Mitsubishi Shogun (245g/km CO2) faces a jump from £1,700 to a whopping £2,070.
Even company car tax on diesels is getting a boost, climbing from 3% to 4%. However, these first-year rate hikes apply only to cars — vans and commercial vehicles are exempt.
What You Need to Know About Car Tax Bands
The changes were unveiled in last year’s Budget and build on major reforms that shook up how much drivers pay on new vehicles.
Here’s how it breaks down after the first-year CO2-based rates:
- Zero-emission cars under £40,000 remain tax free.
- Conventional petrol and diesel cars pay a £140 flat rate.
- Hybrids are charged slightly less at £130 per year.
- All vehicles costing more than £40,000, regardless of emissions, face a hefty £310 “premium levy” from year two through six.
More Pain for Diesel Drivers
If you’re considering a diesel car, think twice before April 1. These new tax changes could soon make your dream diesel a very expensive nightmare on the road.
