UK transport charity proposes EV road-pricing scheme ahead of Spring Budget
Campaign for Better Transport has called on UK chancellor Jeremy Hunt to introduce a distance-based road-usage charge for electric vehicles (EVs) in next month’s Spring Budget.
According to the organisation, a 2p per-kilometre charge for EVs would generate £815m in revenue for HM Treasury in the scheme’s first year alone. The proposed road-pricing scheme forms part of a wider package of transport taxation reforms issued by charity Campaign for Better Transport ahead of the Budget on Wednesday 06 March 2024.
Other measures include ending the 5p cut to fuel duty cut and fuel duty freeze, which would reportedly result in yearly revenues of £2.6bn and £1.6bn, respectively. Silviya Barrett, director of policy and research at Campaign for Better Transport, said: “We want to see a Budget that helps shift the balance of funding away from carbon-intensive roads and aviation, and toward more sustainable public transport and active travel to help grow the economy and address climate change.”
The charity has also called on the UK government to prioritise public transport investment in, and reforms to, the country’s bus and rail networks, including fares.
“The chancellor should take this opportunity to prioritise investment in our rail and bus networks to help support the everyday transport that matters most to communities,” added Barrett.