The government’s independent forecaster, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), itself said the new charge was “likely to reduce demand for electric cars as it increases their lifetime cost”.
Under the new measures, an electric car driver clocking up 8,500 miles in the 2028-29 financial year is expected to pay about £255 – about half the cost per mile that petrol and diesel drivers pay in fuel tax.
However, Ms Saranna said she was optimistic electric vehicles would still offer better value for money.
She said: “It shouldn’t deter people from driving an electric car because ultimately overall it is cheaper than driving petrol or diesel.”