Road pricing is no new concept and is already implemented in variations in many cities, but the idea of more wide-ranging road pricing systems seems to once again be on the agenda. The fact that fuel duty is eroding due to the rise of electric vehicles, continuously improved fuel efficiency and the fuel duty freeze, and now also a potential ban date for petrol vehicles moved to 2030, means that the income from combustion engine vehicles is eroding. 

CIHT has called for the government to further investigate a more comprehensive road pricing system for England in its Improving Local Highways report and recent representation to the Comprehensive Spending Review 2020.

Currently, a Road Usage Duty (Consultation) Bill is making its way through the House of Lords and if successful it will require the UK Government to carry out a public consultation on “a duty of excise charged in respect of the distance travelled by, and weight of, applicable vehicles (“road usage duty”), to reduce transport carbon emissions.”

CIHT is hosting a webinar series on the future of funding for roads and transport which you can book a ticket to here. On 26 November there will be an event on road pricing looking into how road pricing systems can be done in an effective and equitable manner.