§ Mr. Moateasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the annual tax rates on electric-powered goods vehicles compared with petrol- or diesel-driven vehicles; and what consideration he has given to increasing this differential as an incentive for the development of electric-powered vehicles.
§ Mr. NottThe rates are set out in Part II of Schedule 4 to the Vehicles (Excise) Act 1971. The rates are consistently lower for electrically propelled goods vehicles than for other goods vehicles, except in the case of electrically-propelled goods vehicles up to 12 cwt., where the rate is the same—£24—as for other goods vehicles. The rates of vehicle excise duty are a budgetary matter ; but I am keeping in mind the various suggestions which have been made.