Ministers have brought forward an exemption to the luxury car tax after black cab drivers were deterred from switching to electric taxis.
Currently, all cars worth more than £40,000 are required to pay a Vehicle Excise Duty charge of £310 a year for five years.
Chancellor Philip Hammond announced in the Autumn Budget that the charge would not apply to zero emission taxis bought from April 2019 onwards.
Mr Hammond has now announced that the exemption will apply from next month, which will save taxi drivers £1,550 if they buy cars after that date. Treasury officials said that it is hoped that the move will incentivise cabbies to replace their old diesel taxi for a cleaner, greener electric version.
Mr Hammond said: ‘We’re backing Britain’s black cab drivers to go green. This is a victory for the environment and new technologies, which I am determined to support as we build an economy fit for the future.
‘Ensuring the air in our bustling towns and cities is free from pollution is part of our quest to become the first government to leave the environment in a better state than we found it.’
Steve McNamara, general secretary of the LTDA, said: ‘The Government has finally listened to us and cabbies now won’t be paying the luxury car tax.
‘It was stopping the trade from switching to the cleaner, greener taxi, and this decision will save cabbies around £1,500, helping us lead the charge in cleaning up London’s polluted air.’
Chris Gubbey, chair of taxi maker LEVC, said: ‘A small number of drivers who already own the vehicle or are expecting to take delivery in March will still have to pay an additional £310 charge.
‘However, LEVC will compensate these drivers to ensure that they are not penalised for being the first to make the transition to a cleaner vehicle.’
Register now for full access
Register just once to get unrestricted, real-time coverage of the issues and challenges facing UK transport and highways engineers.
Full website content includes the latest news, exclusive commentary from leading industry figures and detailed topical analysis of the highways, transportation, environment and place-shaping sectors.
Use the link below to register your details for full, free access.
Already a registered? Login
