The UK government's recent announcement of a per-mile tax on electric vehicles (EVs) has sparked significant concern among drivers, particularly those in Northern Ireland who frequently cross the border into the Republic of Ireland. The tax, set to be implemented in April 2028, will charge EV drivers 3p per mile and plug-in hybrid drivers 1.5p per mile, with rates adjusted annually for inflation.

Cross-Border Challenges

For drivers like Ciarán O'Doherty, who lives near the border and regularly travels between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, the new tax raises numerous questions. "How will the miles we do outside of the north be taken into account?" O'Doherty asked, highlighting the complexity of tracking cross-border travel. He suggested that technology, such as the black box systems used by insurance companies, might offer a solution.

Motoring journalist Jim McCauley echoed these concerns, suggesting that sat-nav technology could accurately track and tax miles driven across borders. "The sat-nav will identify the boundaries as we cross the border," McCauley explained, emphasizing the need for a system that ensures taxes are allocated correctly.

Reforming Vehicle Taxation

The introduction of the per-mile tax is seen as a step towards broader vehicle taxation reform aimed at reducing traffic congestion and carbon emissions. However, critics argue that the tax unfairly targets EV owners who are trying to reduce their environmental impact. Edward Leigh, a contributor to the Commons transport committee’s inquiry into road pricing, noted that a tax on energy usage might better capture the external costs associated with vehicle use.

Calls for Fairness

Critics, including David Abrams from Fareham, Hampshire, argue that the tax penalizes domestic EV owners who have followed government advice to adopt greener vehicles. They call for a more equitable system that considers the environmental impact of all vehicles, suggesting that higher polluters should pay more per mile.