HMRC updates advisory fuel rates from 1 March 2026
HMRC has published the latest advisory fuel and electric rates (AFRs) for company cars, effective from 1 March 2026. Several rates have changed since the previous quarter. What should employers be aware of?
AFRs are used where employers reimburse employees for business travel in company cars, or where employees repay the cost of fuel used for private travel. Reimbursements at or below the advisory rate are not treated as taxable earnings and do not incur NI. The rates applying from 1 March 2026 are as follows (previous rates in brackets where changed):
Petrol and LPG
|
Engine size |
Petrol |
LPG |
|
1,400cc or less |
12p |
10p (11p) |
|
1,401cc to 2,000cc |
14p |
12p (13p) |
|
Over 2,000cc |
22p |
19p (21p) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diesel
|
Engine size |
Diesel |
|
1,600cc or less |
12p |
|
1,601cc to 2,000cc |
13p |
|
Over 2,000cc |
18p |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Electric
|
Charging location |
Rate |
|
Home charger |
7p |
|
Public charger |
15p (14p) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Petrol and diesel rates remain unchanged, but LPG rates have reduced across all engine sizes. The advisory electric rate for public charging has increased to reflect higher charging costs. Employers may continue to use the previous rates for up to one month after 1 March 2026. Payroll and expense systems should now be updated to ensure the correct rates are applied. Where reimbursements exceed the advisory rate, employers must be able to demonstrate that the higher amount reflects the actual cost per mile to avoid income tax and NI implications.
Related Topics
-
Why is HMRC checking PVA more often?
Your business imports goods and accounts for VAT by applying postponed VAT accounting (PVA) on its returns. HMRC is scrutinising returns and issuing large assessments in some cases. What can you do to reduce the risk of getting it wrong?
-
HMRC text or scam? Check before you act
HMRC is contacting some taxpayers by text this week about overdue Self Assessment liabilities and is also sending updates about VAT registration applications. At the same time, it has expanded its guidance on spotting fake HMRC messages on social media. How can you tell whether a message is genuine?
-
Received a P800? Check how HMRC has used your allowances
Some HMRC P800 tax calculations can produce too much tax where a taxpayer has several different types of income and allowances are not allocated in the most favourable way. People with employment or pension income alongside savings, dividends or other income are particularly at risk here. Could HMRC be charging you too much?

This website uses both its own and third-party cookies to analyze our services and navigation on our website in order to improve its contents (analytical purposes: measure visits and sources of web traffic). The legal basis is the consent of the user, except in the case of basic cookies, which are essential to navigate this website.