As electric vehicles gain traction on our roads, it also means reduced funds for the Treasury.

Despite the earnings, the government has not devised a solution to its income issues.

Pay-per-mile has long been cited as the natural successor to the current vehicle taxing system, and changes could be made in the Budget later this month.

But are the public on board with the idea?

Cold starts

According to new research from The Green Insurer, the new Labour government may struggle to find support for pay-per-mile road charging.

In addition to finding a solution to the rising VED road tax issue, pay-per-mile could also be a good way of helping drivers reduce carbon emissions and drive more environmentally friendly.

The survey reveals that just one in eight (13%) Brits would support such a scheme for car drivers in the future on UK roads.

This is down from one in six (17%) who were asked the same question four months earlier.

Changing opposition

Some have heralded the concept of charging users for every mile they drive as a way of incentivising drivers to use roads more efficiently.

Alongside this, it could encourage the use of less polluting vehicles and reduce congestion during peak hours.

Moreover, road pricing models are also seen as a potential replacement for the lost tax income from reduced fuel duty revenue.

As the number of electric vehicles on the road increases, especially EVs, they represent the most viable solution to government taxing and climate change dilemmas in one simple move.

Town and country

However, the findings reveal that opposition to pay-per-mile road charging schemes is unwaning.

61% of all respondents say they would not support such a pricing model on any UK roads.

A further 26% concede it would have their support in cities or urban areas, but not in rural locations or those with limited public transport.

Women are slightly less supportive of any proposed road charging scheme than men, with only one in nine (11%) women saying they would support the charge, compared with one in seven (15%) men.

Education and support

Paul Baxter, CEO, The Green Insurer, said: “Our most recent survey reveals that opposition for such pricing models remains strong.  While we applaud any attempts to encourage more eco-friendly practices, it is evident from our findings that the British public still need a lot of reassurance about how it will affect their pockets, and also get more clarity on the environmental benefits that such long-term schemes will deliver.

“Before the implementation of any pay-per-mile pricing scheme, we hope that the new Labour government may also consider other measures that will incentivise and reward people for eco-responsible motoring, whether that is through financial incentives, such as tax rebates or reduced insurance premiums for electric vehicles, or improving and supporting the existing infrastructure of faster chargers across the country.”