Buyers of new large family cars could soon be stung by an additional tax based on vehicle weight – and it could potentially cost them more than £1,000.
Ahead of Wednesday's Autumn Budget, Tory MPs have warned that Chancellor John Healey could impose a new tax on larger vehicles following intense lobbying from environmental campaign group Transport & Environment (T&E).
The policy would see buyers of new SUVs, as well as heavy saloons and hatchbacks, hit with an additional first-year Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) charge, also known as showroom tax.
T&E has called for a supplementary levy of £10 per kilogram above specified weight limits for new combustion-engined cars and electric vehicles.
That would apply to any new petrol or diesel car weighing more than 1,600kg, and EVs tipping the scales at more than 2,000kg.
This is Money, in conjunction with Auto Express, exclusively reveals some of the most popular large cars that would fall foul of the proposed levy, as well as more modestly sized models that unsuspecting buyers might never expect to be caught out by their weight.
Labour is reportedly considering introducing a weight-based tax on new cars. Here are some of the popular models that could be stung
T&E has spent years calling for greater restrictions on larger and heavier SUVs entering the market.
The clean transport think tank argues that these jacked-up vehicles pose a greater danger to other drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, while also causing more road wear and contributing to higher emissions.
Tory transport spokesman Richard Holden told the Daily Mail last week that Labour could even consider a vehicle's width when calculating any additional tax charge.
Such a move would likely trigger a backlash from motorists already reeling from Labour's recent changes to first-year VED rates.
The amount buyers pay in showroom tax is based on a vehicle's official CO2 emissions and is included in the 'on-the-road' (OTR) price, alongside registration and delivery costs.
Last year saw a major shake-up of showroom tax rates, with former Chancellor Rachel Reeves doubling charges in a bid to encourage motorists to abandon petrol and diesel models in favour of EVs.
As a result, buyers of new petrol and diesel cars producing more than 151g/km of CO2 face a first-year road tax bill of more than £1,400, while the most polluting new models attract charges exceeding £5,600.
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Steve Walker, head of digital content at Auto Express, said any showroom tax supplement would add a 'significant amount' to the price of the heaviest cars on sale.
However, he caveated that because many of these vehicles are already expensive, the additional charge would 'represent a relatively small percentage of their purchase price'.
But there are also plenty of volume-selling motors that could be walloped by a weight-based supplementary tax...
EIGHT POPULAR FAMILY CARS THAT WOULD BE STUNG
The 'Temu Range Rover' would be subject to a heavy car levy as it is over 1,600kg
Jaecoo 7
Weight: 1,649kg
Powertrain: Petrol
The Jaecoo 7 is arguably the best-known Chinese car currently on sale in Britain, having earned a reputation as the 'Temu Range Rover' thanks to its styling similarities with the far more expensive Range Rover Velar.
The family SUV has also surged up this year's registration charts.
However, buyers of the circa-£34,000 petrol-only model would face a levy on the 49kg it exceeds the proposed 1,600kg threshold.
The Nissan Qashqai is not thought of as a big car as it is only a crossover but it is over the 1,600kg weight limit
Nissan Qashqai
Weight: 1,650kg
Powertrain: Hybrid petrol
The humble Nissan Qashqai has been a huge seller in Britain for years. Starting from £31,145, the practical crossover is an accomplished and affordable family car, available with a highly efficient hybrid powertrain.
Yet even this relatively compact SUV would be caught by the proposed levy, weighing 50kg more than the benchmark set out by T&E.
Owners of the Skoda Superb Estate won't be happy to hear they could be subject to a heavy car tax as it is 83kg over the limit
Skoda Superb Estate
Weight: 1,683kg
Powertrain: Diesel
Many buyers choose the Skoda Superb Estate for its practicality. It boasts a cavernous 690-litre boot and returns a respectable 47.1mpg.
What buyers of the range-topping £50,000 diesel model might not expect is to be classed as owners of a 'heavy car'.
Under T&E's proposal, the Superb would exceed the threshold by 83kg.
The new Mazda 6EV comes in at just 15kg over the 2,00kg EV heavy tax limit
Mazda 6e
Weight: 2,015kg
Powertrain: Electric
The Mazda 6e is an all-electric family saloon with an official WLTP range of up to 348 miles.
It's relatively affordable too, with prices starting from £38,995.
Despite not being especially large compared with many electric SUVs, its 2,015kg kerb weight places it 15kg above the proposed EV threshold.
The Audi A5 is above the 1,600kg petrol car heavy tax levy so owners would be subject to the charge if it comes in
Audi A5 Saloon
Weight: 2,070kg
Powertrain: Plug-in hybrid petrol
The Audi A5 Saloon combines sporty styling and sharp handling with family-friendly practicality.
However, in plug-in hybrid form it tips the scales at 2,070kg.
While capable of travelling up to 74 miles on electric power alone, it sits around 470kg above the proposed threshold for combustion-engined cars and 70kg beyond the suggested EV cut-off.
The Mercedes CLA EV is just over the 2,000kg EV band with a weight of 2,091kg
Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric
Weight: 2,091kg
Powertrain: Electric
The new Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric is the battery-powered version of the German brand's stylish fastback.
Its headline figures include a claimed range of 483 miles, 320kW rapid charging capability and a starting price of just under £30,000.
However, its 2,091kg weight would see it exceed the proposed EV threshold by 91kg.
The VW ID.7 weighs 2,106kg which means it is an electric hatchback that would be charged the heavy levy
Volkswagen ID.7
Weight: 2,106kg
Powertrain: Electric
Volkswagen's flagship electric saloon offers a range of up to 433 miles, generous passenger space and as much as 500 litres of boot capacity.
That makes it an attractive family option for eco-conscious motorists.
Unfortunately, alongside its £51,000-plus price tag, buyers could also face a weight-based levy, with the ID.7 exceeding the proposed EV threshold by 106kg.
The BYD Seal EV is the heaviest EV on this unexpected list with a weight of 2,185kg
BYD Seal
Weight: 2,185kg
Powertrain: Electric
Chinese giant BYD positions the Seal as its flagship all-wheel-drive electric sports saloon.
With 354 miles of range and a 0-62mph sprint time of just 3.8 seconds, it combines strong performance with long-distance capability.
The Seal is also packed with technology, including a rotating 15.6-inch infotainment screen, while providing a 400-litre boot and a 53-litre front storage compartment.
All of that equipment comes at a cost in weight. At 2,185kg, it is arguably the heaviest car on this list that many buyers would not expect to breach the proposed threshold, exceeding the EV limit by 185kg.
HEAVIEST CARS ON SALE THAT WOULD BE HIT HARDEST
The Volvo EX90 is the 10th heaviest new car on sale weighing 2,689kg
Volvo EX90
Weight: 2,689kg
Powertrain: Electric
Buyers of a Volvo EX90 are already spending more than £73,000 on the seven-seat electric SUV before any additional weight-based tax is considered.
The EV counterpart to the popular XC90 offers seating for large families, a high-quality interior, up to 383 miles of range, a 324-litre boot with all seats in place and a 72-litre frunk.
At almost 2.7 tonnes, the EX90 comfortably exceeds the proposed EV threshold.
The BMW XM 50e is a heavy SUV weighing 2,700kg so owners will be subject to a heavy car levy if it comes in as suggested
BMW XM
Weight: 2,700kg
Powertrain: Plug-in hybrid petrol
The XM 50e is the entry-level plug-in hybrid version of BMW's flagship M division SUV, pairing a 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine with electric assistance.
Costing from £112,835 and producing 482bhp, it would be heavily penalised under a weight-based tax system, weighing around 1,100kg above the proposed combustion-engine limit.
The Rolls-Royce Black Badge is over the limit and would be subject to a tax
Rolls-Royce Cullinan
Weight: 2,730kg
Powertrain: Petrol
The Cullinan Series II Black Badge is the first, but not the last, Rolls-Royce to feature on this list.
It demonstrates just how heavy modern ultra-luxury SUVs have become.
Owners of this £400,000-plus prestige model would theoretically be taxed on the 1,130kg it carries above the proposed threshold, though the resulting bill is unlikely to trouble many buyers.
The new and long-awaited Range Rover Electric weighs 2,735kg which is 735kg over the 2,000kg estimated EV heavy tax limit
Range Rover Electric
Weight: 2,735kg
Powertrain: Electric
The new £154,070 Range Rover Electric has been a long time coming, with more than 80,000 prospective buyers reportedly registering their interest.
Offering up to 372 miles of range and the refinement expected of a Range Rover, it allows loyal customers to go electric without abandoning their preferred luxury SUV.
Yet it would exceed the proposed EV threshold by 735kg.
Bentley's first ever EV, the Torcal, would get stung with a potential heavy car levy due to its 2,795kg weight
Bentley Torcal
Weight: 2,795kg
Powertrain: Electric
The Torcal is Bentley's first fully electric vehicle and only recently entered production.
The First Edition produces 876bhp and 1,350Nm of torque, helping it accelerate from 0-60mph in just 2.8 seconds.
However, the £173,000 electric SUV weighs 2,795kg, making it another obvious candidate for a weight-based levy.
Mercedes make some heavy cars and the GLS Maybach comes in at 2,810kg on the scales
Mercedes-Maybach GLS
Weight: 2,810kg
Powertrain: Petrol
The Mercedes-Maybach GLS combines limousine-grade luxury with the practicality of a full-size SUV.
Buyers need close to £180,000 to secure one, but all that indulgence comes at a cost in weight.
At 2,810kg, it exceeds the proposed combustion-engine threshold by more than 1,200kg.
The Ineos Grenadier Station Wagon Trailmaster X weighs 2,816kg so is significantly over the 1,600kg potential limit
Ineos Grenadier Trialmaster
Weight: 2,816kg
Powertrain: Diesel
The Ineos Grenadier was designed as a spiritual successor to classic Land Rover off-roaders.
Created under the stewardship of billionaire businessman Sir Jim Ratcliffe, it is one of the most capable off-road vehicles money can buy.
This Station Wagon Trialmaster version starts from £75,995 and comes loaded with rugged equipment. Its 2,816kg kerb weight would leave it facing a substantial tax supplement under the proposal.
The new Black Badge Spectre Series II weighs a lofty 2,945kg which is almost 1,000kg over the EV heavy car levy band
Rolls-Royce Spectre
Weight: 2,945kg
Powertrain: Electric
Rolls-Royce's all-electric Spectre is one of the largest and heaviest luxury coupes ever built.
Measuring 5,490mm long, 2,015mm wide and 1,585mm high, it is a genuinely enormous car.
Despite weighing less than both the Mercedes EQS SUV and electric G-Class, it still sits far above the proposed threshold. It is also among the most expensive vehicles listed here, starting at around £280,000.
The Mercedes EQS SUV is not only expensive but is incredibly heavy at 3,107kg. It would be stung very hard by a weight-based VED supplement
Mercedes EQS SUV
Weight: 3,107kg
Powertrain: Electric
The EQS SUV is Mercedes' flagship luxury electric SUV and has become a popular chauffeur-driven vehicle.
Prices start at more than £129,000, while its 3,107kg weight places it 1,107kg above the proposed EV threshold.
That would leave it facing one of the largest tax penalties under a weight-based system.
The electric G-Wagon is the heaviest new car on sale at a whopping 3,160kg which is massively over the 2,000kg EV threshold
Mercedes-Benz G Class Electric G 580
Weight: 3,160kg
Powertrain: Electric
The heaviest new car on sale today is the all-electric Mercedes-Benz G580.
As the ultimate Chelsea Tractor, the battery-powered G-Class allows affluent owners to enjoy iconic off-road styling without producing tailpipe emissions.
The EV costs from £154,870 and weighs a staggering 3,160kg.
That places it 1,160kg above the suggested 2,000kg threshold, meaning buyers could face several thousand pounds in additional first-year VED if Labour presses ahead with a weight-based tax.