Fuel duty rises, pothole repairs and EV incentives: 2024 autumn budget preview

The autumn finances announcement is coming tomorrow, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves poised to announce a number of new insurance policies which might have an effect on drivers.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves will announce the autumn finances tomorrow, and hundreds of thousands of Brits shall be watching in anticipation as we learn how the federal government shall be spending our cash for the following six months. So what can motorists anticipate?

Nicely there are rumours of a rise in gas obligation, modifications to automobile tax and hundreds of thousands of kilos is about to be put apart to restore the nation’s potholes. The SMMT can also be calling for brand spanking new incentives to get drivers into electrical vehicles.

Will gas costs go up?

The worth of petrol and diesel has been a scorching matter over the previous few years. Gas obligation has been frozen at 52.95 pence-per-litre since 2011, and a 5 pence-per-litre low cost has been in drive since March 2022.

The low cost was introduced in to assist motorists address the sky-high value of dwelling, and it’s been prolonged a number of occasions. Jeremy Hunt, the earlier chancellor below the Conservative authorities, prolonged the minimize in his spring finances till April 2025.

There are rising rumours that Rachel Reeves may very well be about to scrap the 5 pence-per-litre low cost, in addition to reinstate inflation-based yearly rises. This might enhance gas obligation by seven pence-per-litre. Don’t begin panicking simply but although, as nothing is confirmed simply but.

Elevated funding to restore potholes

It may very well be excellent news for these of you who’re sick of weaving round potholes on a regular basis, as a result of there could also be huge funding in fixing the UK’s roads as a part of the autumn finances.

That is one thing which has been promised in earlier budgets as effectively. Jeremy Hunt introduced a £200 million enhance in funding to repair potholes in 2023’s spring finances, and Rachel Reeves is rumoured to be placing much more money in the direction of mending potholes throughout the nation.

Labour pledged to repair a million potholes in its manifesto earlier than the election, saying that funding would come from deferring the already delayed A27 bypass in West Sussex. The venture was deemed “poor worth” by Labour and was set to value round £320 million.

What about street tax?

Highway tax, or car excise obligation, often goes up with inflation throughout the spring finances moderately than the autumn assertion, nonetheless some reviews recommend that Labour may very well be about to introduce pay-per-mile street pricing – which might see motorists paying for every mile they drive, moderately than a flat yearly charge.

The Division for Transport has already quashed these rumours, stating that there aren’t any plans to introduce street pricing within the autumn finances. Such a scheme might nonetheless be applied sooner or later although, in any case the federal government has already invested in know-how which makes it attainable.

New electrical automobile incentives

The 2030 ban on the sale of recent petrol and diesel vehicles is getting nearer, though hybrid vehicles will nonetheless be bought previous this date. The federal government is going through growing strain to usher in new incentives to tempt patrons into EVs.

It’s been a few years for the reason that £5,000 EV grant was scrapped, and in April 2025 electrical vehicles will now not be exempt from street tax both. The advantages of shopping for one are due to this fact dwindling, and the Society for Motor Producers and Merchants (SMMT) is asking on the federal government to treatment this within the autumn finances.

Particularly, the SMMT desires the federal government to chop VAT on new electrical vehicles by as a lot as 50% to make them extra reasonably priced, in addition to make them exempt from the “luxurious automobile” levy, a further tax utilized to vehicles costing greater than £40,000. It’s additionally calling for a VAT minimize on public charging from 20% to five% to match the speed for dwelling charging.

Demand for electrical vehicles hit a report excessive in September, with EVs making up 20.5% of recent automobile gross sales for the month. This wasn’t sufficient to considerably shift the general market share for the 12 months although, and SMMT Chief Government Mike Hawes says extra must be accomplished to get individuals into EVs.

He stated: “September’s report EV efficiency is nice information, however look below the bonnet and there are severe issues because the market is just not rising shortly sufficient to fulfill mandated targets.

“Regardless of producers spending billions on each product and market help – help that the trade can’t maintain indefinitely – market weak point is placing environmental ambitions in danger and jeopardising future funding.

“Whereas we recognize the pressures on the general public purse, the Chancellor should use the forthcoming Price range to introduce daring measures on client help and infrastructure to get the transition again on monitor, and with it the financial development and environmental advantages all of us crave.”

Keep watch over this web page for updates on the autumn finances…

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