Car tax bands in 2026
Petrol and diesel owners have been battling new 2026 car tax bands, with fees rising for combustion engine owners earlier this year. Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) tax bands are usually based on the age of cars and overall emissions, with petrol and diesel owners usually paying much more than electric vehicle owners. Some combustion owners are paying well over £5,600 to use the road, with price hikes of up to £200 coming into effect from April.
TL;DR
- Car tax for petrol and diesel owners has risen, with new 2026 bands impacting fees.
- First-year tax for new cars emitting over 255g/km of CO2 is now £5,690, up from £5,490.
- Cars registered after 2017 have a set VED fee that increased from £195 to £200 per annum.
- Older vehicles, including modern classics, are also subject to price increases based on emissions and engine size.
- Charges for cars registered between 2001 and 2017 also increased, with higher emitters paying more.
- Modern classics with engines above 1549cc now pay £375, an increase of £15.