December 1st 2024.
In December, UK drivers can expect some changes in the driving laws, courtesy of HMRC. The Labour Party has announced updates that include revised fuel rates for company cars, stricter requirements for electric vehicle charging, and new tachograph rules for heavy goods vehicles. Additionally, car manufacturers will have to meet ambitious electric vehicle sales targets or face significant fines under the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate. To help you navigate these changes and prepare for the evolving transportation landscape, this guide covers all the major updates.
One of the changes that will take effect on December 1 is the introduction of new Advisory Fuel Rates for company car drivers. These rates, which employers use to reimburse fuel costs for business travel, will see reductions across the board. For example, diesel company cars with an engine size of more than 2,000cc will see a decrease from 18-17ppm, while the new rate for a diesel vehicle with an engine between 1,601-2,000cc will be 13ppm instead of 14ppm. The rate for petrol cars will also be reduced.
It's worth noting that hybrid cars can be classified as either petrol or diesel for reimbursement, but these rates do not apply to vans. And as always, remember to keep your receipts for VAT claims.
Truck drivers and fleet managers should also take note of the new tachograph rules coming into effect. By February 21, 2024, all newly registered Heavy Goods Vehicles must be equipped with 'smart tachograph 2' technology. For vehicles already in use with analogue or digital tachographs, retrofitting is required by December 31, 2024, for those undertaking international journeys. This move aims to increase compliance and improve tracking of driving hours for safer and more efficient transport.
Electric vehicle drivers can also look forward to some changes, as regulations are being put in place to ensure that EV charge points meet modern standards. Operators are now required to offer contactless payment options for chargers with a capacity of 8kW and above, as well as guarantee a 99% reliability rate for their devices. This is good news for EV drivers, but operators who fail to comply could face fines of up to £10,000. Adam Hall, director of energy services at Drax Electric Vehicles, believes that these changes will help build confidence in the growing EV market and make the transition smoother for businesses and fleets.
Another significant change on the horizon is the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, which will start on January 1, 2024. Car manufacturers will have to ensure that 22% of their car sales and 10% of their van sales are fully electric in 2024. These targets will increase every year, with an 80% requirement for EV sales by 2030 and 100% by 2035. Failure to meet these targets could result in fines of £15,000 per car and £9,000 per van. While these measures aim to speed up the transition to electric vehicles, there is speculation that the Labour government may adjust the mandate's strictness.
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