Tusker has joined calls for reduced VAT on public EV charging to help make UK electrification fairer and more affordable.

Faircharge’s Quentin Willson says the Government must end “this archaic and divisive tax anomaly”

The EV lease expert has lent its support to the FairCharge campaign, which wants VAT on public charging to be cut to stop unfairly disadvantaging the four in 10 (38%) of households reported as without driveways or private parking.

EV drivers pay 20% VAT on any electricity supplied by an on-street, public charger, while those with home charging pay just 5%.

Tusker, which has a fleet of more than 16,000 electric vehicles, said changes to the tax on public charging could make a huge difference in encouraging drivers to switch ahead of the 2030 deadline on new ICE car and van sales.

CEO Paul Gilshan commented: “Tusker’s aim is to help the UK drive a better car – by providing everyone with an affordable way to drive electric. We are aware of the charging inequality that exists between those with and without access to home-charging as while EVs are now often more affordable to drive than petrol or diesel equivalents, it is unfair that some drivers are penalised by higher VAT rates simply because they rely on the public charging network.”

FairCharge believes the higher rate of VAT is becoming a growing disincentive to drivers to make the switch and may even be incorrectly applied by HMRC.

Its conversations with charge point operators have indicated that any VAT reduction will be passed directly to consumers.

Quentin Willson, founder of the campaign, said: “If this government is serious about UK electrification it simply must end this archaic and divisive tax anomaly. I’ve known and respected Tusker for many years and am delighted they’re joining our campaign to make EVs more for affordable for everybody. Lowering the UK’s transport and energy costs is critical, and I look forward to working with Tusker to help bring them down together.”