Truckers targeted by new road tolls to cut traffic – with car drivers next up
Mileage and emissions-based charges for lorries are being considered - and if it works, ALL drivers could be hit with new levies
DRIVERS could be charged for every mile they travel in a bid to cut traffic — with truckers first to be targeted.
Mileage and emissions-based charges for lorries are being considered by the Department for Transport.
The planned toll could be extended to other vehicles if successful. It is thought the levy could be used to replace taxes such as fuel duty, says The Times. The Treasury collected £27.5billion this year at a rate of 57.95p per litre of diesel or petrol.
But the amount making it in to the government’s coffers is set to fall with the growth of electric and hybrid vehicles. A source close to the DfT said: “There is definitely interest in this.”
Ten years ago a similar plan was ditched after a public backlash.
Duncan Buchanan, of the Road Haulage Association, said: “The electrification of lorries, and the loss of fuel duty revenue, is not going to happen as quickly as it is for cars and small vehicles. It seems they are testing the technology on us.”
The DfT said lorries were being looked at as they caused more damage to roads and created more harmful emissions.