The UK government will tax electric vehicle owners for miles driven abroad under its planned pay-per-mile road charging system, arguing the approach is simpler and avoids the need to track drivers' locations, The Telegraph reported Monday.

The government said EV drivers will pay 3 pence per mile and plug-in hybrid owners 1.5 pence per mile from April 2028 to offset declining fuel duty revenues as petrol and diesel vehicles are phased out. Officials said overseas driving accounts for only about 2% of annual mileage by UK cars.

Critics said the policy would unfairly charge motorists for driving on foreign roads. Under the proposal, drivers will pay based on estimated annual mileage, with credits carried forward or additional charges applied if actual travel differs, The Telegraph reported.