New Car Fuel Consumption & Emission Figures

This page was last updated on 27th November 2023

Zero and Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEVs)

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 tailpipe CO2 or pollution, are cheaper to run than conventional vehicles and can attract financial incentives, for example ULEVs (which meet euro 6 standards and have a 20 mile zero emission capable range) are currently eligible for the 100% cleaner vehicle discount when entering  the London’s Congestion Charging Zone  and there is no charge for access to the Ultra Low Emission Zones for all ULEVs.

Pure electric vehicles attract a zero 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.