New road tax charges for 2025 – what will my campervan cost?

The new 2025 road tax, or Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), rates in the UK have seen significant changes. These changes are part of the government’s ongoing efforts to encourage the use of more environmentally friendly vehicles and reduce carbon emissions. The new VED rates are structured to reflect the environmental impact of different types of vehicles, with higher taxes for those with higher emissions. Gone however are the lower rates for older EVs – with rates going up from £10 a year to £190.

For new campervans, the first-year rate, often referred to as the “showroom tax,” is based on the vehicle’s CO2 emissions. From the second year onwards, a standard rates typically apply, which varies depending on the type of fuel the vehicle uses, emissions and sales value. Let’s explore how these changes affect specific campervan models.

Diesel campervans

Diesel campervans, such as the Peugeot Expert diesel campervan, a popular choice among campervan enthusiasts, will go up to £410 for the first-year VED due to its relatively high CO2 emissions and higher sale value (vehicles over £40,000 incur higher road tax rates). In the second and third years, the standard rate for diesel vehicles, with their higher NOx emissions, will cost around £600 per year. The Renault Trafic diesel campervan, known for its practicality and efficiency, also sees an increase in its first-year VED. For 2025, the first-year rate for the Renault Trafic diesel camper is about £410. In the subsequent years, the standard rate for many diesel vehicles will also be £600 annually.

The VW California diesel camper, a larger vehicle with higher emissions, faces a higher first-year VED. In 2025, the first-year rate for the VW California is about £410. The standard rate for diesel vehicles, around £600 per year, applies in the second and third years. However if you go for the VW California Beach it will be hit with the luxury vehicle rate (ie costing over £40,000) and will go up to £1650 in the second and third years. The main factor here is a lack of fitted kitchen – giving it a classification as an expensive MPV rather than a campervan/motorhome – which get lower rates despite their sales values.

For smaller, more economical campervans like the Nissan NV-200, the first-year VED will go up to £130. The standard rate for petrol vehicles applies in the second and third years, which is around £190 per year.

Electric campervans

The Vauxhall e-Vivaro, used by CampervanCo in the fully electric Eco Revolution, benefits from the government’s push towards zero-emission vehicles. The first-year VED for the Vauxhall e-Vivaro goes up from zero to £10, reflecting its zero emissions. From the second year onwards, electric vehicles are subject to a standard rate, which is around £190 per year.

The e-NV200 will have the same tax as the e-Vivaro with £10 in the first year followed annually by £190 tax.

Hybrid Campervans

Hybrid vehicles, such as the Ford Transit Custom PHEV use in our Eco Evolution II, have their first years tax go from £10 to £110. The first-year rate for the Ford Transit Custom PHEV in 2025 is approximately £200, thanks to its lower emissions compared to traditional petrol and diesel vehicles. In the following years, the standard rate for hybrid vehicles is around £190 per year.

Japanese Import campers

Those driving a Japanese import camper such as CampervanCo’s Nissan Elgrand Velocity or the cleaner Toyota Hybrid Eco Pioneer II pay a flat rate no matter the fuel type nor how old the vehicle is. Currently this is £345 a year. The government has made no announcement yet as to what the VED will be next year that, though we expect it to rise £20 in line with previous annual increases. So to be safe, we think in 2025 all Japanese import campervans will cost £365 to tax annually.

Family and sports cars get a mixed bag

Hikes in VED vary according to performance and emissions too. Prices among sporty car owners will go up a fair bit. The VW Golf GTi petrol, a popular choice among motorists, will see in the first-year’s VED increase a lot due to its relatively high CO2 emissions. In 2025, the first-year rate for the VW Golf GTi is approximately £1,200. In the second and third years, the standard rate for petrol vehicles applies, which is around £180 per year.

Every day diesels such as the Kia Sportage diesel, known for its efficiency and practicality, also sees an increase in its first-year VED. For 2025, the first-year rate for the Kia Sportage diesel is about £900. In the subsequent years, the standard rate for diesel vehicles, which is slightly higher than for petrol vehicles due to their higher NOx emissions, is around £200 per year.

Electric vehicles like the Tesla Model 3 standard also benefit from the government’s push towards zero-emission vehicles and will £0 in the first year followed by £10 annually.

Hybrid vehicles, such as the Toyota Prius, have a more moderate VED rate. The first-year rate for the Toyota Prius in 2025 is approximately £150, thanks to its lower emissions compared to traditional petrol and diesel vehicles. In the following years, the standard rate for hybrid vehicles is around £140 per year.

Small hatchback

For smaller, more economical cars like the Renault Clio, the first-year VED is relatively low. In 2025, the first-year rate for the Renault Clio is about £120. The standard rate for petrol vehicles applies in the second and third years, which is around £180 per year.

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, a plug-in hybrid, has a first-year VED of approximately £100 in 2025, reflecting its lower emissions. In the subsequent years, the standard rate for hybrid vehicles, which is around £140 per year, applies.

These changes in VED rates highlight the government’s commitment to reducing emissions and promoting the use of greener vehicles. Motorists are encouraged to consider the long-term costs associated with vehicle ownership, including VED, when making purchasing decisions. The new rates aim to balance the need for revenue with environmental goals, ultimately benefiting both the economy and the planet.