A growing number of UK motorists are calling for new charges on heavier vehicles to fund long-overdue road repairs.

As pothole damage continues to cost drivers and local authorities billions of pounds annually, new research from Kwik Fit reveals growing public disatisfaction and the need for better solutions.

Pay the price

According to the findings, more than half of drivers (56%) believe operators of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) should pay more towards repairing road surfaces via a ring-fenced “pothole levy.”

Only 17% disagreed with the proposal.

Similarly, 44% of respondents support an additional charge on delivery vans, with just 23% opposing it.

The 2025 PIT Report (Pothole Impact Tracker), also published by Kwik Fit earlier this year, paints a stark picture of the deteriorating state of UK roads.

In a hole

In the past year alone, drivers spent a staggering £1.7 billion repairing vehicle damage caused by potholes—a 150% increase since 2016. Common issues include tyre blowouts, suspension failures, damaged wheels, and compromised steering alignment.

Wider economic impacts are also mounting.

The Asphalt Industry Alliance’s 2025 ALARM report estimates that the backlog of road repairs across England and Wales would now cost local authorities £16.8 billion to clear—a 42% rise in under a decade.

Dan Joyce, operations director at Kwik Fit, said the findings highlight an urgent need for sustainable investment:

“The data shows there is an increasingly pressing need to invest in the maintenance of our road network. Motorists already feel they are contributing enough, so it’s understandable they want the additional burden placed on the heavier vehicles believed to cause the most damage.”

Wearing worries

Heavier vehicles such as HGVs, large SUVs, and electric vehicles with oversized batteries are known to exert greater stress on road surfaces.

Research by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) has shown that the damage caused to roads increases exponentially with weight.

In fact, one fully loaded 40-tonne lorry can cause as much road wear as 10,000 car passes, making HGVs a key target in calls for greater financial accountability.

Nearly half (48%) of drivers surveyed said they believe heavier cars should also pay higher Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax), with just one in five (21%) against the idea.

However, when asked about contributing more themselves, only 26% said they would be willing to pay additional road tax for repairs in their local area.

Generating debate

The research also highlights a generational divide.

Younger drivers are more open to personal contributions for better roads, with 40% of Gen Z and 38% of Millennials supporting increased tax, compared to just 18% of Gen X and 15% of Baby Boomers.

Despite recent government announcements promising additional funding to tackle potholes, public confidence remains low.

Kwik Fit’s survey found that 64% of motorists do not expect road conditions in their area to improve any time soon.

It’s heavy

With over 700,000 potholes reported on UK roads last year, according to RAC data, and more than 1.5 million vehicle breakdowns attributed to poor road conditions, the call for a dedicated pothole fund—potentially subsidised by those contributing most to road degradation—may gain traction among frustrated road users.

Still, Joyce cautioned that any levy on businesses could have broader implications:

“Any costs placed on HGVs or delivery vans are likely to be passed on to consumers, so these decisions must be made with full consideration of the economic impact.”

As pressure mounts to address the UK’s crumbling road infrastructure, the question remains: who should foot the bill? For many drivers, the answer is clear—those who weigh the most, should pay the most.