The Chancellor’s Budget has landed with a mix of incentives and penalties that leave many in the fleet and automotive sectors questioning the direction of UK transport policy.
While additional funding has been made available for EV grants and charge points, the headline measure; a 3p-per-mile tax on electric cars from 2028, has been widely criticised as poorly timed and potentially damaging to EV adoption.
Across industry bodies, leasing companies, fleet operators and EV experts, one message is clear:
this Budget increases cost and uncertainty at the very moment businesses need confidence and consistency.
The Government confirmed a new electric vehicle excise duty (eVED) from April 2028:
The Treasury frames this as “fairness”, but industry reaction has been overwhelmingly negative.
Key concerns raised:
Businesses, meanwhile, already face rising wages, insurance, energy costs and unstable supply chains. Another cost layer is unwelcome.
There were positive measures:
These steps offer some relief. But many fleet and mobility leaders argue the incentives are overshadowed by the increased cost of ownership the tax introduces.
As one CEO put it:
“It still feels like one step forward and two steps back.”
Fuel duty will remain frozen until September 2026, then rise in stages through 2027.
This gives temporary breathing space but adds longer-term pressure on the cost of running petrol and diesel fleets; a pressure that could otherwise push businesses toward EVs.
Now, with EVs becoming more expensive to run, the Budget risks stalling momentum on both sides.
Almost every industry leader quoted across the articles arrives at the same conclusion:
the Budget creates more questions than answers.
This uncertainty affects:
In short: it becomes harder for businesses to take the next step with confidence.
While policy moves unpredictably, your infrastructure strategy doesn’t have to.
At EVC Solutions, we help businesses create a resilient, future-proof charging ecosystem built around clarity, not political noise.
Our end-to-end process gives fleets a stable basis for decision-making:
Understand fleet operations, duty cycles, costs and constraints.
Grid capacity, depot readiness, and load forecasting.
A bespoke, scalable, ZEV-aligned infrastructure plan.
Reliable delivery with minimal downtime.
Monitoring, optimisation and ongoing performance assurance.
When done properly, infrastructure becomes the anchor that allows fleets to continue electrifying, no matter what the Budget brings.
This Budget sends mixed signals: more grants and infrastructure funding, yet new taxes that could slow EV adoption.
But fleets can’t afford to wait for the 'perfect' policy environment.
Businesses that build strong charging foundations now will be the ones that stay ahead; compliant, efficient, and ready for the next phase of the transition.
If you want certainty in an uncertain landscape, we’re ready to guide you.
