Fleet management company Masterlease is arguing that a Conservative suggestion of tolls on new roads will mean UK businesses will end up carrying the cost.

“It is unlikely, even as we emerge from recession, that private motorists will be keen to pay for toll roads, given the fact that 1.8 million drivers recently signed a Downing Street petition against exactly that,” explained Robert Kingdom, head of marketing at Masterlease.

“The Conservatives must be well aware of this, so it implies that as a means of generating profit they would be relying on company car drivers to fund the scheme.”

Kingdom added: “Whatever happens, the fleet industry will need to be prepared and the current ‘head in the sand’ attitude is not sustainable.

“Road pricing could be inevitable as we strive towards the 80% cut in carbon emissions by 2050.”