Electric driving is the future, but the road to achieving it is dynamic, especially in terms of legislation and regulations. Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) have benefited from tax advantages in recent years, including a reduction in road tax (motor vehicle tax, MRB). However, from 2025 onwards, significant changes are planned that will have direct consequences for PHEV owners.
At Accu-Machine.nl, we believe it's important that you're well-informed about everything related to electric driving and charging. In this article, we'll delve into the upcoming changes to road tax for PHEVs and give you practical tips to keep costs under control, for example, by charging more efficiently at home.
The phasing out of the tax benefit for PHEVs: what does it mean?
Until 2024, owners of a plug-in hybrid car will receive a discount on road tax. This benefit will be gradually phased out over the coming years:
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2024: PHEVs pay 50% of the standard MRB rate that applies to comparable petrol cars.
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From January 1, 2025: The tax benefit will be further reduced. PHEVs will pay 75% of the standard MRB rate. This represents a 25% increase compared to 2024.
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From January 1, 2026: From this date, the MRB benefit will be completely abolished. PHEVs will then pay 100% of the normal MRB rate, just like gasoline cars of the same weight.
Why this change? The government is encouraging the transition to fully electric vehicles. PHEVs are an important transition step, but to accelerate the transition to 100% electric, subsidies and tax benefits for hybrids are gradually being phased out. Fully electric cars (BEVs) will remain exempt from road tax until 2025. From 2026 onwards, they will pay 25% of the MRB, and from 2031 onwards, 100%.
Practical consequences for plug-in hybrid owners
The main impact of this change is that your PHEV will become more expensive in fixed costs. The extent to which these costs increase depends on the weight of your car and the provincial motor vehicle tax rate.
Calculation example (indicative): Suppose a comparable petrol car of the same weight as your PHEV would pay €100 per quarter in road tax.
- In 2024 you will pay €50 per quarter.
- In 2025 you will pay €75 per quarter.
- In 2026 you will pay €100 per quarter.
This means a gradual but noticeable increase in monthly costs.
More focus on electric driving: These changes emphasize the importance of driving your PHEV as much as possible on electric power. The more you drive electric, the less fuel you use, and the more you offset the higher road tax.
Tips to reduce costs by charging efficiently at home
To offset the rising costs of road tax, efficient and smart use of the electric portion of your PHEV is crucial. This is primarily achieved by charging at home as much as possible:
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Charge daily (or whenever possible): The range of a PHEV running on electric power is limited (often 30-80 km). By charging your car regularly, you ensure you're using the cheaper electric mileage for daily trips. Make sure your battery is fully charged as often as possible before hitting the road.
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Invest in a home charger: Charging via a regular outlet is slow and less efficient. A dedicated home charger (wall box) offers faster charging speeds and is safer. This means your car will charge faster and you'll be ready to drive electric sooner.
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Faster charging = more electric driving: With a home charger of, for example, 3.7 kW, 7.4 kW, or 11 kW, your PHEV will be fully charged in just a few hours. This encourages you to plug in more often, even for short stops.
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Consider a smart charging solution with load balancing: A smart charging station with features like load balancing is ideal. Load balancing ensures that your car's charging speed is automatically adjusted to your home's power consumption, so you never overload your main connection. This allows for optimal charging without the need for expensive upgrades to your meter box. Some smart chargers can also charge based on dynamic energy prices or your own solar power.
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Optimize your charging behavior: Charge when electricity is cheapest (with dynamic energy contracts) or when your solar panels are generating a lot of energy. This lowers your kWh costs and makes driving electric even more affordable.
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Choose the right charging cable: Make sure you have a charging cable that matches your PHEV's maximum AC charging capacity. While PHEVs often charge more slowly at AC than fully electric cars, you still want to achieve the maximum efficiency your car supports. Check whether your PHEV can charge on single-phase or three-phase power and choose a suitable cable for the best charging speed.
Accu-Machine.nl helps you charge efficiently
The changes to road tax for PHEVs from 2025 make it even more important to maximize your car's electric potential. By investing in the right charging infrastructure at home, such as an efficient home charger and a suitable charging cable, you can significantly reduce your fuel costs and offset rising fixed costs.
At Accu-Machine.nl, we offer a wide range of home chargers and charging cables that perfectly match your plug-in hybrid car. Whether you're looking for a basic wall box or an advanced smart charging station with load balancing, we have the solution to charge your PHEV as efficiently and affordably as possible.
View our offering and discover how you can optimize your charging experience:
