* Road tax will be restructured to incorporate six new VED bands from 2009, which will increase the financial difference between the most and least polluting cars.

* This will include a top band (band M) for cars emitting more than 255g of carbon dioxide per kilometre. These cars would pay an increased VED rate of £425.

* Cars emitting 150g or less per kilometre would pay less.

* Also, from 2010/11, the most-polluting new cars will pay a first-year VED rate of £950, while those new cars with a 130g/k or less emission level will pay nothing at all.

* When the changes were announced in the Budget earlier this year, the Treasury said the majority of motorists would be better or no worse off in 2009. Now Angela Eagle, the Exchequer Secretary, has revealed the Government expects 44 per cent of cars to be hit under the scheme.

* Official figures predict that 8.7 million vehicles will see tax increased in 2009/10 - all in the six most-polluting bands. The Conservatives had previously predicted that 2.3 million people would see their car tax rise.

* Ms Eagle said it was estimated that a third of car owners will be better off in real terms. She added that five of the UK’s 30 most popular cars would pay more under the changes. These were the 2.2 litre diesel Land Rover Freelander, the 1.6 unleaded Toyota Auris, the 2.2 diesel Honda CR-V, the 1.8 unleaded Vauxhall Vectra and the 1.6 unleaded Vauxhall Zafira.