Ahead of an expected handover of power, Andy Burnham must reverse Rachel Reeves' £300 car tax bill the second he walks into Downing Street, according to an Express opinion piece by cars reporter Luke Chillingsworth. The decision to introduce a pay-per-mile car tax fee for electric car owners was described as silly from the beginning and potentially the worst idea Reeves has ever had.
Not only does the plan feel inherently unfair, the article argues, but it just won't work. Polls show no one really wants it, and the damage it will do to the car industry is unthinkable. Mr Burnham is expected to be handed the keys to Number 10 as soon as July 20; when he does, axing the plan should be top of his list.
The Cost to Drivers
A 3p per mile car tax fee means those travelling 10,000 miles per annum will pay an extra £300 from 2028. A per mile charge is a direct attack on those who need to use the roads. The only ones realistically getting close to that number are commuters. It means workers are having their wallets raided before even setting foot into the office.
A previous poll from Express.co.uk found that a whopping 86.73% of 21,000 respondents said they wanted a mileage system scrapped. A YouGov study found that just 43% of people strongly or somewhat supported the plan. The findings showed that 34% were against the scheme and 23% undecided—not overwhelming support.
Industry Backlash
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) were among the first to blast the plan, stressing the move would be “entirely the wrong measure at the wrong time.” They warned that introducing the costly new plan would be a “strategic mistake.”
Electric cars will pay up to 3p per mile to use the roads from 2028. With manufacturers forced to produce electric cars due to the UK’s Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate targets, de-incentivising EVs at this stage seemed reckless.
The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has already predicted 440,000 fewer electric cars will be sold due to the plan. If the targets don’t move, motoring firms will be left with unsold vehicles and potential losses.
Burnham's Track Record
Burnham has a track history of scrapping car fees he doesn't agree with, having pulled the plug on Manchester's Clean Air Zone before it came into force. This time, the future PM needs to take action immediately before it’s too late.
