British motorists have rejected the idea of a pay-per-mile car tax system to replace Vehicle Excise Duty (VED).
Data from a new Express poll found the majority of drivers did not support fees calculated based on mileage instead of vehicle emissions.
Under current rules, vehicles are charged more money based on how much they pollute the atmosphere.
But, road pricing is understood to be a possible successor to VED fees as more motorists switch to electric vehicles.
However, the survey of over 10,000 Express readers found there was little support for the scheme if it went ahead.
According to the poll, a staggering 66.22 percent of motorists admitted a pay-per-mile system should not be launched.
Less than one-third (31.35 percent) of respondents backed the proposal while a further 2.43 percent said they didn’t know.
Road pricing has been looked into by the Transport Committee which launched a consultation on it back in 2020.
The Committee explained that the Government “must start an honest conversation with the public on the funding” for roads if there is decreased VED and fuel duty income as more switch to EVs.
The MPs recommended that a road pricing system using telematic tools to monitor mileage should be introduced.
The report read: “The Government must set out a range of options to replace fuel duty and vehicle excise duty. Those options should be revenue neutral and not cause drivers, as a whole, to pay more than they do currently.
“One of those options should be a road pricing mechanism that uses telematic technology to charge drivers according to distance driven, factoring in vehicle type and congestion.”
However, frustrated Express readers called out the plans as they made their decision in the latest poll.
Lots of motorists were against the plans with some even branding the new concept a “tax on the motorist” and a “cash generator” for the Government.
@Cadiz said: “Introduce yet another tax on the motorist and Government will never reduce current VED and Fuel taxes. Just yet another scheme to rip off motorists. Why not tax EVs as that’s where revenue is being lost.”
@Hen1944 added: “VED is a rip-off tax which should be sent on roads as for pay per mile this would mean the roads will be only for the rich as Governments will make charges extortionate. MPs of course will put any charges on expenses.”
@DaWilko commented: “As soon as a new scheme like this is put out there you just know it’s a new cash generator for the Government.”
@annafalaxis added: “The idea of pay per mile would require a sealed, tamper-proof odometer and complicated checking procedure, like tachometers on steroids. It would not be easy to implement.”
