The spectre of national road pricing, which would see companies charged for every mile their drivers cover, is back on the political agenda after an influential committee told the Government that introducing road pricing would make environmental and economic sense.
“Road pricing would result in a significant emissions reduction if there were no offsetting reductions in other aspects of transport pricing, such as fuel duty and VED,” said the Government’s Committee for Climate Change, which is required by law to monitor and recommend on Britain’s carbon reduction progress.
“The committee recommends therefore that the Government should seriously consider road pricing.”
The current Labour government has ruled out introducing road pricing at least until after the next parliament, while the Tories have so far said they would not introduce it.
However, this new report from the highly influential group of scientists and advisors, including professor Julia King – author of the ‘King Review’ that examined how to reduce transport carbon emissions – could force their hand.
The committee’s previous recommendations on carbon reduction targets were adopted by Parliament and became law.
The Lib Dems appear committed to road pricing after their transport spokesman Norman Baker said it is going to happen.
Company car drivers are also likely to be the first to be required to take eco-driving courses if the committee’s second recommendation is acted upon.
The report said that 3.9 million drivers need to be taught and begin practising eco-driving techniques within 10 years.
In addition, the committee said 240,000 electric cars and plug-in hybrids will be needed on the roads by 2015, and 1.7 million by 2020 – 16% of all new cars sold in that year - if carbon reduction targets are to be met.
Read the full story on the committee's recommendations and what they could mean for fleets in the October 22 issue of Fleet News.
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