ROAD tax rates will change based on carbon emissions after April 1 this year.

All vehicles will have an additional tax rate (Vehicle Excise Duty) calculated based on their car's emissions.

They will then move to a standard rate of £140 annually. However, cars which have a price of over £40,000 on their first registration will pay extra, and the additional rate for a further five years.

The Chancellor George Osborne set out the proposals in 2015 to encourage the use of greener cars with improved emissions technology.

Zero emission cars are exempt, unless their price when new is over £40,000 in which case they will pay an additional rate.

Rates for cars first registered after the date varies from £10 to £2,000 and will be charged the relevant excesses in relation to the amount of pollution they emit.

Vehicles registered before April 1 will not be affected by the change.