Login
My Garage
New hero

Government considers network of tolls to plug funding gap

By Tom Gibson | March 29, 2022

Share

Why not leave a comment?

See all | Add a comment

The rise in electric vehicles, which pay no road tax, has given Downing St a headache

Government considers network of tolls to plug funding gap

Back in March of last year, we asked the Government for clarity on how electric vehicles would be taxed as we move towards 2030.

Unsurprisingly, clarification didn’t come but it does seem as though the topic is finally on the agenda.

By our maths, once the sale of vehicles powered by petrol or diesel only in 2030 are outlawed, the Government will have around £40bn to find from alternative methods. This is largely because fuel tax, which raises about 1.2% of national income each year, will stop being a source of income.

And it’s emerged a network of toll roads across the UK is being discussed by ministers as they look at new ways to tax drivers.

There were 380,552 purely electric cars on the UK's roads in 2021, an increase of 281,706 from 2019, according to the RAC.

Currently, the M6 toll road in the West Midlands is the only major road that users have to pay to use and this costs a whopping £7.10 on weekdays for cars and £12.90 for HGVs.

A government spokesman told Sky News: "The government has previously committed to ensuring that motoring tax revenues keep pace with the changes brought about by the switch to electric vehicles, whilst keeping the transition affordable for consumers."

The cross-party Commons transport committee pitched another option last month in which technology would be used to charge drivers a fee based on the distance they have driven, the level of traffic and type of vehicle.

This pay-per-mile charge system could also have wider implications for how you pay for insurance as well as wider car purchasing options.

Let us know what you think about the potential introduction of nationwide tolls in the comments.

Related Articles

Adrian Newey set to leave Red Bull amid controversy surrounding Christian Horner
Newey's contract with Red Bull extends until the end of 2025, yet he is reportedly confident that he can negotiate an early departure to...
Apr 26, 2024
Ayrton Senna's legendary Honda NSX hits the market for £500,000
With just over 39,100 miles on the clock and first registered in 1991, Senna's NSX is more than just a car – it's a symbol of a bygone era...
Apr 25, 2024
Kia: A Look Ahead To The Near Future
Thirty years ago, Kia was considered late to the party.
Apr 24, 2024
Opinion: F1 portrays an image of success but the reality is worrying from the perspective of a core fan
Are you an F1 fan? Let us know how you perceive the current state of the sport.
Apr 23, 2024