Parliamentary Petition Demands 50% Car Tax Reduction for Older Vehicles
A significant parliamentary petition is calling upon the Labour government to implement a substantial reduction in Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), commonly known as car tax, specifically targeting vehicles aged between twenty and thirty-nine years.
Core Proposal of the Campaign
The petition, hosted on the official UK Parliament website, explicitly urges: "Reduce Vehicle Excise Duty by 50% for vehicles aged 20 to 39 years." This proposal would directly apply to cars manufactured between 1987 and 2006, creating a distinct tax category for these "Young-Timer" vehicles.
Environmental and Economic Rationale
Campaigners present a compelling case centred on sustainability and heritage preservation. They argue that current high VED rates prematurely force well-maintained, functional vehicles off the road, fostering a wasteful "disposable" car culture.
The petition states: "Keeping existing cars is greener than building new ones, as it preserves embedded carbon. This 'Young-Timer' bracket supports the circular economy and UK heritage." It highlights the massive "carbon debt" incurred in manufacturing new vehicles, suggesting that maintaining older cars is often the more environmentally responsible choice.
Petition Status and Government Response Threshold
At the time of reporting, the petition has garnered 9,251 signatures. It requires 10,000 signatures to trigger an official government response. If it reaches 100,000 signatures, the matter will be considered for debate in Parliament.
The petition was created by Heitor Mazzotti and remains open until 6 August 2026, providing ample time to potentially surpass the critical 10,000-signature threshold.
Context of the Current Car Tax System
Under existing regulations, Vehicle Excise Duty is structured around emissions. First Year Rates vary according to a vehicle's carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Subsequently, a flat Standard Rate of £140 applies annually for most vehicles, with zero-emission cars paying £0.
The proposed 50% discount aims to create a new "Transition to Historic" tax band, designed to encourage vehicle repair, support the UK's classic car industry, and reflect the typically lower annual mileage of these older models.
