Motorists with vehicles emitting exorbitant levels of CO2 will be hardest hit by new car tax hikes next month. From April 1, the government is doubling the Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) for some new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars.

The eye-watering hike was announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves during the Autumn Budget last year and is meant to encourage people to move away from petrol-guzzlers to zero-emission cars. The VED increase will hike the tax differential between zero-emission cars and those powered by internal combustion engines.

The move aligns with the Government's environmental goals of reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable transportation. Buyers of new petrol, diesel, and hybrid vehicles can expect higher upfront costs due to increased first-year VED rates.

However, electric car owners will only be charged a nominal VED rate, making these vehicles a more tax-efficient option in the long term. Key changes to VED rates include:

• High CO2 emitting vehicles: The first-year VED for new cars emitting over 255g/km of CO2 will increase from £2,745 to £5,490.

• Moderate CO2 emitting vehicles: Vehicles emitting between 76g/km and 150g/km will see a steep rise in their first-year VED. For instance, a Ford Puma's rate will climb from £220 to £440.

• Low CO2 emitting vehicles: Cars emitting between 1-50g/km will see their VED rise from £10 to £110. Those emitting 51-75g/km will experience an increase from £30 to £130.

• Electric Vehicles (EVs): EVs were previously exempt but now they'll be subject to a nominal first-year VED of £10 starting in April 2025.

The 59 petrol and diesel models expected to be hardest hit by the tax rise are:

• Alfa Romeo, Stelvio 2.9 V6 Bi-Turbo

• Audi, R8 5.2 FSI V10

• Audi, RS6 4.0 TFSI V8

• Audi, RS7 4.0 TFSI V8

• Audi, RSQ8 4.0 TFSI V8

• Audi, S8 4.0 TFSI V8

• Audi, SQ7 4.0 TFSI V8

• Audi, SQ8 4.0 TFSI V8

• Aston Martin, DB12 4.0 V8

• Aston Martin, DBX 4.0 V8

• Aston Martin, Vantage 4.0 V8

• Bentley, Bentayga 4.0 V8

• Bentley, Continental 4.0 V8

• Bentley, Continental 6.0 W12

• Bentley, Flying Spur 4.0 V8

• BMW, Alpina XB7 4.4 V8

• BMW, M8 4.4 V8

• BMW, X5 M 4.4 V8

• BMW, X6 M 4.4 V8

• BMW, X7 M 4.4 V8

• Chevrolet, Corvette Stingray 6.2 V8

• Ferrari, Purosangue 6.5 V12

• Ferrari, Roma 3.8T V8

• Ford, Mustang 5.0 V8

• Ford, Ranger 2.0 TD EcoBlue

• Ford, Ranger 3.0 EcoBlue

• Ford, Ranger 3.0 V6

• INEOS, Grenadier 3.0P

• Jaguar, F-Pace 5.0 P575 V8

• Jeep, Wrangler 2.0 GME

• Lamborghini, Huracan 5.2 V10

• Lamborghini, Urus 4.0 V8 BiTurbo

• Lamborghini, Revuelto 6.5 V12

• Land Rover, Defender 90 5.0 P425 V8

• Land Rover, Defender 110 5.0 P425 V8

• Lotus, Emira 3.5 V6

• Maserati, Levante 3.0 V6

• Maserati, Levante 3.8 V8

• Maserati, MC20 3.0 V6

• McLaren, GT 4.0T V8

• Mercedes-Benz, AMG GT 4.0 V8

• Mercedes-Benz, G400D

• Mercedes-Benz, G63

• Mercedes-Benz, GLC63

• Mercedes-Benz, GLE63

• Mercedes-Benz, GLS63

• Mercedes-Benz, SL55

• Porsche, 718 Cayman 4.0 GT4

• Porsche, 911 3.7T 992 Turbo

• Porsche, Cayenne 4.0T V8

• Porsche, Macan 2.9T V6

• Range Rover, 4.4 P530 V8

• Range Rover, 4.4 P615 V8

• Range Rover, Sport 4.4P V8

• Rolls-Royce, Cullinan 6.75 V12

• Rolls-Royce, Ghost 6.75 V12

• Toyota, Hilux 2.8D

• Toyota, Land Cruiser 2.8D

• Volkswagen, Amarok 3.0 TDI