Police to be granted home-entry powers to enforce new EV mileage tax

From April 2028, owners of hybrid and electric vehicles will face a pay-per-mile levy of 1.5p per mile for hybrids and 3p per mile for full electric cars, added to existing road tax. The draft law gives police and transport officials the right to enter any address linked to a registered vehicle, inspect, test and detain the car, and require it to be moved for examination, creating a new criminal offence for non-compliance.

Enforcement will rely on annual odometer readings submitted by drivers, cross-checked against mileage recorded at the MOT. Opponents, including opposition MPs and civil-rights groups, argue the powers are excessive, risk penalising innocent motorists for honest mistakes, and represent an overreach of state authority. The proposals are slated for inclusion in the upcoming Finance Bill, but have drawn sharp criticism as an intrusion into private homes and an unnecessary burden on already stretched police resources.