Pay per mile fee could be ‘guinea pig’ for ‘digital control’ of all cars, warn campaigners

EXCLUSIVE: Campaigners believe that Rachel Reeves' new 3p pay-per-mile electric vehicle charge may just be the start.

Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Howard said: “I fear the 3p pay per mile on EVs is the thin end of the wedge that will hit all motorists, whatever the fuel is used. FairFuelUK will continue to fight for lower road user taxes."

When asked if he meant the new EV charge could be the first move towards a wider move which would encompass petrol and diesel cars, Howard responded: "Eventually yes.”

He added: “EVs are the guinea pigs to a digital ID control of our road movements for all vehicles.”

The Chancellor confirmed a new 3p per mile fee for battery electric vehicles and 1.5p per mile charge for plug-in hybrid vehicles in her Autumn Budget. The new charge will not come into effect until 2028 but early predictions suggest the move could add up to £300 per year to bills. 

Campaigners, such as experts at Transport and Environment, have previously suggested that a road pricing system based on CO2 emissions could be feasible.

However, the Government claims the new rule is really being introduced to offset the loss of fuel duty revenue as more motorists make the switch away from petrol and diesel models.

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has forecast that fuel duty revenues, currently around £24bn, will halve current levels before the end of the decade to around £12bn per year by the 2030s.

Express.co.uk has contacted the Treasury and the Department for Transport for comment.