The company has backed the controversial recommendation, which appeared in the Mirrlees Review as part of a proposal to overhaul the UK tax system.
Jakes de Kock, sales and marketing boss at the Fuelcard Company, claimed a congestion charge scheme would be fairer than the current tax regime that penalises those who drive for work.
He said: “A system of congestion charging would level the playing field and apply to all motorists travelling in a particularly busy area, likely to be around city centres, rather than being based on distance covered, as with fuel usage, which places a heavy burden on fleet companies.”
De Kock argued congestion is the biggest problem on UK roads so it makes sense to concentrate tax on this area. He added that private motorists using vehicles for short journeys, rather than van and HGV drivers, are mainly responsible for congestion.
De Kock said it is important to maintain pressure on the Government over fuel duty with further hikes planned for January 2012.
“One way or another fuel duty must go, whether that means tax breaks for commercial drivers or implementing congestion charging,” he said.
He branded the current system unsustainable and blamed it for stifling economic growth by forcing businesses to turn down work because high fuel costs wipe out profits.
