EVs, Coca Cola, bamboo, flight ban and Ontario’s secret

A collection of climate stories mostly

Brands behaving badly

###Electric vehicles (EVs) to pay their way

It’s fair to say, I’ve resisted bashing recent UK governments and the duplicitous, talentless, careerists who have come and gone so far, since the buffoon era began. Many wonderful journalists already do a far better job.

Last week, the autumn statement, another budget, mini or otherwise, showed a significant lack of imagination when it comes to EV purchase. It appears to be deliberately slowing the process down and forgetting about a tiny wee obligation in 2030 — when sparkly new fossil fuel cars will no longer be available.

From April 2025, EVs will be liable for road tax or vehicle excise duty, to use the correct term, and will pay £165 per year. They will also be subject to the £355, expensive car supplement, if the purchase price is over £40,000. A figure easily exceeded by many manufacturers with their current EV ranges, which remain at a premium to fossil fuel equivalents.

The supplement runs from the second to sixth year of a car’s life and will add an additional £2,130 in tax.