Hold onto your wallets, drivers! HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is rolling out new fuel rates today, and they could significantly impact how much you pay to keep your vehicle on the road. Whether you drive a petrol, diesel, or electric car, these changes are worth paying attention to. But here's where it gets controversial: electric vehicle (EV) owners are now being treated differently based on where they charge their cars—at home or at public stations.
Starting today (Sunday, March 1), HMRC’s updated advisory fuel rates (AFRs) come into effect. These rates are crucial because they determine how employees are reimbursed for business travel in company cars or how they repay fuel costs for private trips. And this is the part most people miss: the rates are recalculated four times a year, meaning drivers are constantly adjusting to new prices per mile for petrol, diesel, electric, and LPG vehicles.
Let’s break it down. For petrol cars, the rates remain unchanged: 12p per mile for engines up to 1,400cc, 14p for 1,401cc to 2,000cc, and 22p for engines over 2,000cc. Diesel rates also stay the same: 12p for engines up to 1,600cc, 13p for 1,601cc to 2,000cc, and 18p for engines over 2,000cc. But for electric vehicles, it’s a mixed bag: home chargers remain at 7p per mile, while public chargers are rising from 14p to 15p. This split raises questions about fairness—should EV owners pay more just because they use public chargers? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) users aren’t off the hook either. Rates are dropping across the board: from 11p to 10p for engines up to 1,400cc, 13p to 11p for 1,401cc to 2,000cc, and 21p to 19p for engines over 2,000cc. Is this a sign of LPG’s declining popularity, or just a reflection of market trends? Let us know what you think.
These rates aren’t pulled out of thin air. HMRC calculates them using data from various sources, including the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) for petrol and diesel, and the Automobile Association for LPG. Electric vehicle data comes from DESNZ, the Office for National Statistics, and the Department for Transport, among others. The next updates are scheduled for June 1, September, and December, so mark your calendars.
In related news, motorhome and campervan drivers might face a permanent coastal ban under new proposals, and Chinese vehicle owners are seeing a staggering 242% hike in car insurance premiums—a move many are calling 'simply not fair.' Plus, motorists risk automatic MOT failure and a £1,000 fine for breaking number plate rules ahead of upcoming changes. Are these measures necessary, or are they overreaching? Share your opinions below.
As these changes take effect, one thing is clear: staying informed is more important than ever. Whether you’re an EV owner juggling charging costs or a diesel driver watching rates closely, these updates will shape how much you spend on the road. What do you think about the new fuel rates? Are they fair, or do they need a rethink? Let’s start the conversation!
