One of the reasons I went EV last year was to beat any forthcoming legalised theft for driving my car where I want, without paying every time I drive somewhere. As many on here may already know, I had a Ghibli Diesel which was EURO6 compliant, although I had to get a letter from Maserati before that would be accepted. However it became apparent that along with ULEZ expantion, how long before existing compliant vehicles began attracting a new charge. In my view this will start with a small relatively insignificant 'fine' aka charge, as always to get the huge number of people it will effect used to the idea of having to pay, before going stratospheric! And sadly I fear this wil, be both Diesel and Petrol, no doubt beginning with non hybrid drivetrains.
Whilst changing my Ghibli to a mid eighties GBP EV makes no rational financial sense to get round the charges, i can't help but feel a little smug whenever i drive into central London charge free ( at least until end of '25), and then make use of City of Westminster meters that cost a little over a Pound for four hours!
From a social perspective, this can be construed as entirely counter intuitive. After all anyone theoretically who can spend that kind of money on a new car, should be expected to contribute more to the local community, whilst someone who can't afford to buy a new EV or indeed even a newer car is slammed with all the charges!
Compared to any other form of taxation, its all rather upside down...
Maybe compared to most cars seen driving around the West End, my car is at the decidedly poor end of the scale!