All of this only highlights how complicated the introduction of such a scheme will be; the odometer reading self-submission process is rife with issues, not only because it lends itself to manipulation and fraud, but also because current proposals for rebates would see drivers being reimbursed for any overpayments in ‘credits’, rather than cash.
Nevertheless, with how tight the public purse strings already are – loss in fuel duty income is expected to generate a £12 billion black hole by 2030 – the industry believes eVED to be a necessary evil. With all of this in mind, EVA believes the scheme should be pushed back by two years from April 2028 in order to iron out any stumbling blocks.
The group’s CEO, Vicky Edmonds, said: “EVA England is calling on the Government to delay the introduction of eVED until at least 2030, redesign the scheme so drivers pay based on actual mileage rather than estimates, and ensure it is introduced alongside meaningful action on charging costs and affordability.”
For the time being, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has decided to postpone the highly-controversial ‘unwinding’ of the temporary 5p cut to fuel duty until the end of the year. The original plan was for it to be phased out in September, gradually reducing to a 4p cut, then 2p in December and finally removed altogether the following March. Fuel duty will still rise in-line with inflation next April, though – in the case of 2027/28, by 2p per litre.
Regardless, speaking following the announcement, Reeves said: “The war in Iran is pushing up fuel prices here at home, but after strong growth at the beginning of the year, I am stepping in to protect people at the pump.”
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