THE BVRLA has called for the government to axe the extended 3% diesel surcharge and stick to its promises of delivering a simpler, fairer tax system with better incentives for the uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles.

Senior representatives from HM Treasury, experts from KPMG, leading BVRLA members and a number of fleet end users contributed to a Business Vehicle Taxation roundtable as the BVRLA concluded its autumn series of policy roundtables at the KPMG offices in London.

Members distilled the debate into four policy recommendations, which urged the government to:

• Re-instate first year capital allowances to level the playing field for lease cars
• Reverse the decision to keep the 3% diesel supplement until 2021 and scrap it in April 2016.
• Continue to incentivise the purchase and use of ultra-low emission vehicles
• Reform benefit-in-kind (BIK) ratings, especially at the lower end of the emissions table where the wide difference in BIK rates makes them too blunt a tool.

A follow-up meeting has been arranged with HM Treasury, where these recommendations will be discussed in further detail.

The Business Vehicle Taxation roundtable followed a debate on Air Quality in November.  Hosted by the RAC Foundation, the event welcomed delegates from across the BVRLA’s membership, fleet operators, as well as representatives from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Department of Health, the Department for Transport and the Office for Low Emission Vehicles.

Attendees agreed on a series of policy recommendations, including:

• Develop a national framework for Clean Air Zones across the UK to provide consistency for fleets
• Give more consideration to vehicles in urban planning, to minimise traffic congestion and thereby reduce emissions
• Renew the Plug-In Grant for electric vehicles beyond February 2016 and provide sufficient notice when the scheme is to be amended.

“Our series of policy roundtables have seen us engage with members, industry experts and policymakers,” said BVRLA chief executive Gerry Keaney. “They have helped us shape our policy priorities for 2016, and we are indebted to all those who shared their valuable time with us.”

The recommendations from all four of the policy roundtableswere being presented to Transport Minister Robert Goodwill at the BVRLA’s Parliamentary reception in the House of Commons on 16 December.