New Car Fuel Consumption & Emission Figures

This page was last updated on 11th December 2025

Zero and Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ZEVs/ULEVs)

Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEVs) are currently defined as having less than 75 grams of CO2 per kilometre (g/km) from the tail pipe. These are listed at https://carfueldata.vehicle-certification-agency.gov.uk/search-by-low-emissions.aspx. Pure electric vehicles, and other plug in electric vehicles when driving in the electric mode, produce no exhaust CO2 or pollution, are cheaper to run than conventional vehicles and can attract financial incentives, for example the most sustainably manufactured zero emission cars are eligible for the Government’s new £650m electric car grant.

Pure electric vehicles attract a lower first year Vehicle Excise Duty rate (car tax) and for those under £40,000 a zero rate for supplementary years. Electricity used to recharge a plug-in vehicle at home attracts only a 5% level of VAT, much lower than road fuels (20%).

The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) works across government to support the transition to zero emission vehicles (ZEVs). It provides support for the take-up of plug-in vehicles, as well as funding to support chargepoint infrastructure across the UK.