UK EV Drivers Face £85 Million VAT Disparity Tax Hike

Electric vehicle (EV) drivers in regional Queensland are facing significantly higher charging tariffs compared to those in Brisbane, with time-of-use tariffs being approximately 300% higher during night hours. This disparity is attributed to the Queensland Competition Authority's simplistic pricing model, which fails to account for the unique challenges faced by regional EV users. In contrast, a new initiative in Australia is aimed at expanding public EV charging infrastructure, with $2.4 million allocated for 250 kerbside chargers across multiple states to enhance accessibility. Meanwhile, the UK is grappling with an inequitable VAT system that imposes a 20% tax on public EV charging compared to 5% for home charging, leading to an expected £85 million additional tax burden for EV drivers this year. Campaigners argue that this tax disparity hampers EV adoption and creates a two-tier system favoring affluent homeowners. Urgent calls for policy changes in both Australia and the UK highlight the ongoing challenges in promoting equitable EV infrastructure and usage.