In the UK there is currently zero Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), also know as 'road tax' due on electric vehicles in the first year, and all subsequent years - meaning that you will pay no road tax at all. You still, however, have to submit a V11 form from the DVLA to renew your zero-rating annually. An electric vehicle has to have zero CO2 emissions to qualify for this.
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are subject to a variable VED of between zero and £105 for the first year, and then £145 each year thereafter. Because PHEVs have engines this is dependent on tailpipe CO2 emissions.
There is also a 'premium rate' which applies to vehicles worth £40,000 or more. This luxury car tax is in addition to your VED and is levied from years 2-6 of ownership. It does not apply to fully battery electric vehicles.
But watch this space. As more electric vehicles take to the roads the pressure to raise revenue will force the government to look at vehicle taxation, with many believing that we will soon be looking at a 'road pricing' tax, or tax 'on usage'.
These figures were based on UK taxation rates in August 2021.