UK Drivers Back New Car Tax System to Fund Road Maintenance
A recent study has revealed that 56% of UK drivers support the introduction of a new car tax system. The survey, conducted by Kwik Fit, also found that most drivers believe operators of heavy goods vehicles and delivery vans should pay an additional levy to help maintain the UK’s road network.
The proposal for a new car tax system comes as the UK’s roads continue to deteriorate, with millions of potholes needing to be fixed. According to Dan Joyce, operations director at Kwik Fit, “The data shows that there is an increasingly pressing need to invest in the maintenance of our road network, but our new research highlights that there are no easy answers as to how this is funded.”
The survey found that 44% of drivers are in favor of placing an additional levy on delivery vans, while 23% are against it. Almost half of the respondents believe that the weight of a car should be a critical factor in determining road tax.
Joyce emphasized that any additional costs placed on businesses through levies on HGVs or delivery vans are likely to be passed on to consumers. “It’s critical that potential measures are not looked at in isolation,” he added. “What is vital is for there to be a long-term strategic plan for road maintenance rather than short-term patching.”
The Department for Transport has announced plans to fix the equivalent of up to seven million extra potholes over the next financial year. Meanwhile, motorists remain uncertain about electric vehicles (EVs), with 40% expressing uncertainty about adoption, according to Bridgestone’s latest consumer research.
As the UK considers its road maintenance funding strategy, the debate around car tax reform is likely to continue. With the majority of drivers supporting a new system, policymakers will need to balance the need for revenue with the potential impact on businesses and consumers.
