Fuel duty is raising its head again, with one industry expert suggesting that HGV and van operators may not be impressed by the government’s announcement of grants for bus operators to retrofit NOx reduction technology.
LCV and HGV fleet managers “might question the government’s priorities”, says Steve Clarke of The Fuelcard People.
And he adds that, although green transport measures are to be welcomed, “some operators will think that this should be a lesser spending priority for an economy still recovering from recession”.
The UK has “crippling” duties on fuel, insists Clarke – currently 57.95 pence per litre.
“Cutting that cost is just one way to boost our economy and most van and HGV users could suggest others.”
He adds: “We must address sustainability, now and into the future. Nobody should question that.
“[But] we should be questioning whether, here and now, there could be more immediately important ways to invest our taxes.”
