Warning for EV drivers over pricey ‘pothole tax’ set to hit

ELECTRIC vehicle (EV) drivers have been warned that they could soon be hit by a pricey “pothole tax”.

The Centre for Policy Studies, a centre-right think tank founded by Margaret Thatcher, recommended the charge as their research found that the weight of EVs was straining the nation’s road surfaces.

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Because of the way the batteries that power them are built, EVs can weigh up to a third more than combustion-powered equivalents, according to the findings.

Electric models are currently exempt from road tax until 2025 to encourage the move away from petrol and diesel.

However, experts are now warning that new charges could be on the way soon.

Tim Alcock from LeaseElectricCar said: “Recent reports are showing that an increase in heavier electric vehicles on the roads compared to normal petrol and diesel cars could be having a bad impact on our road network.

“Zero-tax will soon no longer be an incentive for drivers to make the switch to electric.

“Yet with proposals which are considering introducing a new pothole tax will likely only decrease the number of Brits having reason to switch to electric.”

Earlier this year it was reported that half of the country’s roads were crumbling as Britains faces a pothole crisis.

The are still sizeable backlogs on repairs, despite a little-known rule that can force councils to fix them.

In one case, a pothole dubbed the UK’s biggest was seen to be large enough to swallow a child.

It comes after it was revealed that thousands of drivers are exempt from paying road tax as they meet nine key criteria.

Meanwhile, there was a blow to motorists in April as the charge was raised in the Chancellor’s Spring Budget.