The UK government’s upcoming pay-per-mile tax for electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) is already facing a major hurdle: readily available, illegal mileage blockers. These devices, which can freeze a car’s odometer, allow drivers to evade or reduce the new levy scheduled to begin in April 2028. The tax, designed to offset lost fuel duty revenue as more drivers switch to electric, will charge 3p per mile for EVs and 1.5p per mile for PHEVs, relying on self-reported annual mileage.
The Rise of Mileage Blocking
Mileage blockers are not new. Originally marketed for use in vehicle testing or development, these devices prevent mileage data from being recorded by a car’s electronic control unit (ECU) or ignition key. While selling the devices is legal, using a vehicle with an installed blocker on public roads is not. Despite this, demand is surging.
According to an investigation by Autocar, hundreds of drivers and businesses purchase and install these blockers weekly, primarily to avoid mileage penalties at the end of PCP or lease agreements. The market has expanded rapidly to include EVs and PHEVs, with blockers now available for many popular models. Suppliers claim the devices are easy to install but difficult to detect, making enforcement challenging.
Growing Concerns About Used Car Market
The ease of use and difficulty in detection raise broader concerns. An increasing number of vehicles previously fitted with mileage blockers may enter the used car market without current owners knowing, further inflating the number of clocked cars already in circulation. This poses a risk to buyers and undermines the integrity of vehicle history data.
Widespread Availability and Rapid Expansion
An Autocar reporter posing as a customer contacted a leading blocker supplier, confirming their willingness to sell a device for a 2022 Volkswagen ID 3. The salesperson revealed that the business sells approximately 750 blockers per month (500 to retail, 250-300 to trade), with new models becoming available monthly.
“Our supplier in Germany has just cracked the post-2024-model VW Passat and hopes to have cracked the rest of the 2024 VW range within the next few months,” the salesperson stated. “Also, they are just about to finish developing blockers for Omoda, Jaecoo and Chery vehicles.”
The rapid expansion of blocker availability suggests that the government’s pay-per-mile scheme may face significant evasion, potentially undermining its effectiveness. The issue raises serious questions about how the eVED tax will be enforced and whether it will achieve its intended revenue goals.
