Cash-strapped hauliers need incentive to upgrade their trucks, not penalties
2 min read
The Road Haulage Association is dismayed by Transport Minister Jesse Norman’s latest announcement that in less than twelve months’ time, the majority of haulage operators will have to pay an additional 20% towards the HGV Road User Levy.
In February 2019, an estimated 56% of UK-registered Euro V trucks (and earlier) will be hit with the rise while, at the same time, the levy for Euro VI vehicles will reduce by 10%
Commenting, RHA chief executive, Richard Burnett said: “We’re at a complete loss as to understand Government’s latest decision to inflict yet more pain with another tax hike on hauliers.
“Road transport operators have made huge strides in adopting cleaner air technologies. Despite this, Government has made it very clear it has no interest in either acknowledging that progress, or in supporting the industry on its journey to an emissions-free future.
“Of course, we all want clean air," continued Richard Burnett. “But we consider it grossly unfair that Government uses clean air policies to justify squeezing money out of already cash-strapped hauliers to plug financial gaps elsewhere. Where is the incentive? What’s needed is a realistic scrappage scheme that supports our industry during this transition, not a penal approach.”
The claim that HGVs account for around a fifth of harmful NOx emissions is a shameful exaggeration. It fails to take in into account the shift to Euro VI already taking place while completely ignoring non-road transport NOx emissions.
Concluding, Richard Burnett said: “This latest move is aggressive, anti-business and does nothing to reassure the industry responsible for moving 90% of the economy that it's doing a great job. With Brexit looming this industry needs some good news, the reality is that this latest announcement amounts to little more than delivering another kick to an industry already on its knees”.
