Aside from the apparent environmental benefits, making the switch to an electric car can also provide businesses and individuals with electric car tax credit benefits and incentives.
In 2018 the UK government released its Road to Zero strategy, outlining a view to see at least of new vehicles to be ultra-low emission by 2030 and the production of petrol and diesel vehicles to cease by 2040.
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However electric vehicles remain substantially more expensive than their diesel and petrol counterparts, so the government has to incentive the switch to electric while consumers wait for cost parity between electric and traditional cars.
There are various electric car tax credit benefits of owning an electric vehicle, spanning benefit in kind (BIK), vehicle excise duty (VED), capital allowances, and salary sacrifice regimes.
In July, the UK government announced that all zero emission company cars will not be required to pay benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax for 2020/21.
HM Treasury published its decision following its review of the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) emissions regulations last year. “The introduction of WLTP provides an opportunity to strengthen the link between the vehicle tax system and the true environmental impact of car purchasing decisions, allowing consumers to make more informed decisions between model variations,” read the review.
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By GlobalDataThe new rules state that most appropriate percentages will be reduced by two percentage points in 2020/21 before returning to planned rates over the following two years. This applies to company cars first registered from 6 April 2020.
All zero emission company cars will pay zero BIK tax in 2020/21, 1% in 2021/22, before returning to the planned 2% rate in 2022/23. The tax reductions will also be extended to vehicles registered prior to 6 April.
A statement from the government read: “The vehicle tax system plays an important role in supporting our ambition for all new cars sold to be effectively zero emission by 2040 and to help achieve our legally binding climate change objectives.
“However, the government recognises that WLTP represents a significant change to the vehicle tax system and is aiming to support the automotive sector – and protect consumers – during the transition.”
Jay Palmer, director of policy and membership at the BVRLA, said the announcement represents a positive for the market: “Recognising the value of the company car market in supporting the transition to zero emission technology is also a positive endorsement for our sector, showing refreshing alignment between government’s environmental and fiscal policies.”
“The Treasury is giving back some of the unfair Company Car Tax windfall it was set to receive as a result of WLTP and providing some essential extra visibility on future tax costs for those looking to order their next vehicle.”
