Fuel Card News Motoring Updates: Fuel duty must go, says The Fuelcard Company

Replacing fuel duty with congestion charges could revive the fleet industry and boost the economy, according to The Fuelcard Company.

The recommendation comes after the controversial Mirrlees Review which proposes scrapping fuel duty in a complete overhaul of the UK tax system.

Jakes de Kock, Sales and Marketing Director at The Fuelcard Company, believes a congestion charge scheme could be a much fairer system of taxation than the current arrangement which unfairly penalises those who drive for a living.

He said: “Levying tax from all drivers, whether they are ‘choosing to drive’ in their private lives or providing an essential service for the country by transporting goods and materials from place to place, is totally unfair.”

Transport companies cover large distances travelling up and down trunk roads between business destinations, but do not often venture into city centres which face the biggest congestion problems.

“A system of congestion charging would level the playing field and apply to all motorists travelling in a particularly busy area – likely to be in and around city centres – rather than being based on distance covered, as with fuel usage, which places a heavy burden on fleet companies,” Jakes continued.

“Congestion is the biggest problem we face on UK roads, so surely it would make more sense to levy tax on this area rather than punishing fleet companies who are just doing their jobs.”

In other news, in a survey of 500 drivers 87 percent said they would be prepared to use telematics technology to reduce their fuel consumption.

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