Owners of electric cars could soon face a ‘pothole tax’ for driving heavier vehicles, despite being currently exempt from paying anything. EV experts at LeaseElectricCar.co.uk are warning drivers that although they are currently exempt from paying tax until 2025, new charges could come in sooner to cover costs of road repairs if a government think tank's findings are acted upon.
Government think tank, the Centre for Policy Studies, have recently reported that the UK road network cannot handle the weight of EVs, which is putting strain on surfaces to cause more potholes. Some are proposing a new ‘pothole tax’ could be enforced for electric cars to help combat and pay for bad road surfaces.
Because of their lithium, lead and metal armoured batteries, EVs can weigh up a third more compared to petrol and diesel cars - with one battery weighing around 500 kg - the equivalent of an adult camel or grand piano. All this extra weight is putting pressure on UK roads is causing an increase in surface damage and potholes.
