A staggering 87% of motorists don’t understand the new tax rules for diesel cars being introduced in April, according to a new survey.


The vehicle excise duty changes, which come into force next month, will see new diesel cars registered after April 1 bumped up one band for their first year of tax. This can raise the overall price of these models increase by anywhere from around £20 to £500.

Insurance comparison site Confused.com surveyed 2,000 people, 87% of whom admitted they didn’t understand the rules. A further 60 per cent said they simply wouldn’t buy a diesel car, with 33 per cent blaming that decision on the tax changes.

Furthermore, 46 per cent of those surveyed said that they thought the messages on diesel VED changes were unclear.

Electric and hybrid vehicles have only made up around five per cent of new car registrations so far this year, with 43 per cent of drivers calling for better incentives from the government.

Amanda Stretton, motoring editor at Confused.com, commented: “Drivers are clearly confused about the messaging around diesel vehicles. It’s no wonder motorists are not up to speed with the latest laws.

“As we head towards 2040, when the sale of new diesel and petrol vehicles will be banned, we expect drivers will see numerous incentives and penalties being introduced.

“Whether such measures will encourage take up of more environmentally friendly car types remains to be seen.”

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