Daily EV news · UK · 20 September 2026
EV Charging
Nine in 10 UK independent garages turn away EV work over diagnostic access barriers
Nearly 90 per cent of independent garages in the UK have turned away or referred electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid work in the past six months because manufacturers lock vehicle data, diagnostics and technical information behind proprietary fault codes, according to data from LKQ Euro Car Parts shared with The Express. More than one in four independent garages say diagnostic access concerns in newer EV brands are discouraging further investment across their sites, forcing drivers towards franchised dealers with bespoke diagnostic tools.
Why it matters
The diagnostic lockout threatens the viability of independent workshops that could otherwise service the growing EV fleet, concentrating aftermarket revenue with franchised dealers and potentially raising costs for fleet operators and charge point hosts who rely on local garages for vehicle maintenance.
Policy & Market
UK to charge electric vehicles 3p per mile from April 2028 under new road tax
The UK government will introduce a distance based road tax in April 2028, charging full battery electric vehicles 3p per mile and hybrids 1.5p per mile. HMRC estimates the measure will affect around 5.6 million vehicles in the 2028/29 financial year, with average EV drivers covering 10,000 miles annually facing an extra £300 charge. The eVED scheme, announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in 2025 and now under formal consultation, aims to replace declining fuel duty revenue as drivers shift from petrol and diesel to electric vehicles.
Why it matters
The per mile charge may influence total cost of ownership calculations for fleet operators and affect demand forecasts for public charging infrastructure, particularly on high mileage routes. Charge point operators should monitor whether the tax differential between EVs and hybrids shifts vehicle adoption patterns and usage behaviour at their sites.