About Author
Andrew Leech
I’ve been helping teams go green for over a decade! Ready to green your fleet?
At Fleet Evolution, we’re not new to electric vehicles. We’ve been championing EVs since 2010, back when a 70-mile range felt impressive and charging usually meant plugging into a standard three-pin socket overnight.
A lot has changed since then. Battery technology has improved dramatically, public charging has expanded, and drivers are more confident than ever about making the switch.
Unfortunately, government policy has also changed along the way, and not always in a straight line.
Life is confusing enough without having to keep up with policy announcements, tax changes and government U-turns. We can’t do much about the potholes on Britain’s roads, but we can certainly help smooth the journey towards driving electric.
What is the 3ppm road charge?
In November 2025, the government announced plans to introduce a 3 pence per mile road charge for electric vehicles. For many drivers, this came as an unwelcome surprise.
One of the biggest attractions of switching to an electric car has always been the lower running costs compared with petrol or diesel vehicles. While electricity remains significantly cheaper than traditional fuels, introducing an additional road charge naturally raises questions for anyone considering making the move.
The good news is that even with the 3ppm charge, driving an electric vehicle remains considerably more affordable than running a diesel car. In fact, the charge equates to roughly half the amount a typical diesel driver pays in fuel duty and tax, meaning EV drivers still come out ahead financially.
That said, we understand why people feel frustrated.
Just as the market has gained momentum and more people are embracing electric vehicles, another cost has appeared on the horizon.
What does this mean for salary sacrifice drivers?
Salary sacrifice remains one of the most cost-effective ways to drive a brand-new electric vehicle. The tax savings available through salary sacrifice, combined with lower day-to-day running costs, continue to make it an attractive option for employees looking to reduce the cost of motoring.
However, changing government policies can create uncertainty. People naturally ask whether today’s savings will still exist tomorrow, or whether another policy change could alter the financial picture. The honest answer is that governments change, priorities change, and legislation can evolve over time. That’s just the nature of politics.
Predicting future policy is impossible, and history has shown that transport legislation can change with relatively little notice. Rather than worrying about what may or may not happen, we believe it’s our job to make things as simple as possible for our customers today.
How Fleet Evolution is helping
This is why, until further notice, Fleet Evolution is absorbing the 3ppm road charge on behalf of our customers.
We don’t believe this additional cost should discourage people from choosing an electric vehicle. By covering the charge ourselves, we’re helping to keep the transition to electric as straightforward and affordable as possible.
For eligible new orders from the applicable date, we’ll continue to absorb these charges until further notice or until the government changes its position. After all, governments have been known to change direction from time to time.
We’re not suggesting there will be another U-turn, but if you’ve ever driven one of Italy’s famous mountain roads, you’ll know the route ahead can sometimes have more bends and hidden hazards than expected.
Whatever happens, we’ll continue to focus on supporting our customers through any changes.
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Keeping things simple in an ever-changing world
The electric vehicle market has developed enormously over the last decade. Technology has moved forward and infrastructure has improved, and there’s more EV drivers than ever before. But government policy isn’t as predictable, and that’s why we believe simplicity matters.
Instead of expecting customers to navigate every policy announcement or legislative update themselves, we aim to remove as much complexity as possible. We’ll continue monitoring any future developments and communicating clearly whenever changes affect our customers.
Until then, we’re happy to take care of the 3ppm road charge, allowing you to focus on enjoying all the benefits that driving electric still brings.
Because with Fleet Evolution, simplicity comes as standard.
Get in Touch
Fleet Evolution offers innovative salary sacrifice schemes, helping employers and employees save on costs while promoting eco-friendly electric cars. Enjoy easy setup, free maintenance, and swift activation for any company size.
FAQs
The 3ppm road charge is a government policy that introduces a 3 pence per mile charge for electric vehicle drivers. Although it adds a new running cost, EVs remain significantly cheaper to run than equivalent petrol or diesel vehicles thanks to lower energy costs and tax advantages.
No. Until further notice, Fleet Evolution is absorbing the 3ppm road charge for eligible new orders from the applicable date. This helps customers continue enjoying the financial benefits of driving an electric vehicle without worrying about the additional cost.
No. Salary sacrifice continues to be one of the most cost-effective ways to drive a new electric vehicle. Even with the introduction of the road charge, the tax savings and lower running costs available through a salary sacrifice scheme still offer excellent overall value.
Yes. Government policies and legislation can change over time, making it difficult to predict future costs or incentives. Fleet Evolution closely monitors policy changes and aims to make the transition to electric as simple as possible by supporting customers through any updates.
For most drivers, yes. Electric vehicles continue to offer lower running costs, reduced emissions, quieter driving and significant savings through salary sacrifice schemes. Even with the introduction of the 3ppm road charge, EVs remain a cost-effective choice compared with petrol or diesel vehicles.