BusinessCar reveals van tax fears

Not content with going after Mondeo man, the Government could now be setting its sights on white van man after confirmation that new vans will also be emissions and economy tested from the beginning of next year.

The shape of the business car market changed in 2002 when the CO2 testing of all new cars enabled the Government to introduce a company car tax and, later on, a Vehicle Excise Duty system that extracted even more revenue from drivers.

This move for commercial vehicles would leave the Government able to set out a similar new regime for light commercial vehicles, potentially leading to a VED and taxation system based on CO2 figures, as well as the potential for different classes of road charging when that system comes into operation in the next few years.

“The Government has previously shown an enthusiasm for applying new or increased taxes in the business car arena, and there’s every reason to suspect van owners and drivers are about to receive the same treatment,” said BusinessCar editor-in-chief Tristan Young.