The chancellor has cancelled the planned rise in fuel duty, while also introducing two new company car tax bands for ultra-low emission vehicles.
The 1.89 pence per litre fuel duty increase that was planned for September 1, 2013, will be scrapped. This means that fuel duty will have been frozen for nearly three and half years, the longest duty freeze for over 20 years
Meanwhile, the Government is introducing two new company car tax (CCT) bands for ultra-low emission vehicles.
From April 2015, two new CCT bands will be introduced at 0-50g/km and 51-75g/km. The appropriate percentage of the list price subject to tax for the 0-50g/km will be 5% in 2015-16, and 7% in 2016-17.
The appropriate percentage of the list price subject to tax for the 51-75g/km CO2 band will be 9% in 2015-16 and 11% in 2016-17.
In 2017-18 there will be a 3 percentage point differential between the 0-50 and 51-75g/km bands, and between the 51-75 and 76-94g/km band.
In 2018-19 and 2019-20 there will be a 2 percentage point differential between the 0-50 and 51-75g/km bands and between the 51-75 and 76-94g/km bands.
In future years CCT rates will be announced three years in advance.
The thinking behind this is that this will stimulate the market for ultra-low emissions vehicles. And with the added incentives of low taxation motoring this could persuade more fleets to use them as part of their everyday operations.”
Some other measures announced, included:
Fuel benefit charge (FBC) – From April 6, 2014, the FBC multiplier will increase by RPI for both cars and vans. Van benefit charge (VBC) – the Government will freeze the VBC at £3,000 in 2013-14 and will increase it by the RPI only from April 6, 2014. The Government commits to pre-announcing the VBC one year ahead.
Capital allowances for business cars: first year allowances (FYA) – As announced at Budget 2012, the 100% FYA for businesses purchasing the lowest emissions vehicles will be extended until March 31, 2015.
From April 2013, the carbon dioxide emissions threshold below which cars are eligible for the FYA will be reduced from 110g/km to 95g/km and leased business cars will no longer be eligible for the FYA.
The Government will extend the FYA for a further three years until March 31, 2018. From April 2015, the carbon dioxide emissions threshold will be reduced from 95g/km to 75g/km.
Capital allowances for business cars: as announced at Budget 2012, the carbon dioxide emissions threshold below which cars are eligible for the main rate of capital allowances will be reduced from 160g/km to 130g/km from April 2013.