There has been a breakdown in trust between the government and the business motorist, according to the chief executive of the BVRLA.And, while John Lewis is in favour of a national road pricing scheme as an alternative form of taxation, he stressed any idea of introducing such a system would rely on the politics being taken out of the process.

Giving evidence to the House of Commons Transport Committee, which is investigating taxes and charges on road users, he also described elements of the current taxation system as having a “slight of hand” quality.

While admitting policies such as the benefit-in-kind system had helped reduce CO2 emissions by 3.5 million tonnes a year, he said other taxes on motorists had simply been seen as a money-making exercise rather than influencing future behaviour.

“I think that mistrust is perhaps taking us away from applying real taxes, perhaps an overall review of the tax system and giving us a national road pricing programme, because if we are going to have that mistrust that’s failed before it starts,” Mr Lewis told the committee.

There were several reasons for the breakdown in trust between the government and motorists, said Mr Lewis.

“Take the London congestion charge.

"When that was introduced the motoring community was advised the price wouldn’t change for 10 years, within two years it moved from £5 to £8, within another two years it was going to move from £8 to £25 for some cars,” he said.

Mistrust would always create a problem where additional charges to the motorist were concerned when considering a road pricing scheme, claimed Mr Lewis.

Instead, he said, using road pricing as an alternative taxation system with heavy goods vehicles as a starting point could be the answer.

“We should make the way for a national road pricing system, not an additional tax, but an alternative way of taxing.

“Perhaps, may be as well, we should look at depoliticising that, because may be we need an independent body rather than a political party to look at it which transcends elections and political parties because it’s a long term strategy,” he added.