The Fuelcard Company has launched a national petition among commercial vehicle drivers calling for ministers to lower fuel tax and support the transport industry. 

The campaign entitled ‘Don’t Fleece Our Fleet’ is being taken across the UK in a nation-wide tour of the country’s biggest truck-stops to raise awareness and generate support for the fleet industry which has seen fuel duty increases totalling 15 percent during the recession, with further tax hikes on the way totalling around 5 percent.

UK diesel duty is by far the highest in the EU, at 57.19 pence a litre, and more than double what some of our EU competitors pay. To raise awareness of the petition The Fuelcard Company has embarked on a 6 week tour of the country with an enormous 14ft American BBQ serving burgers to the nation’s beleaguered truck drivers.

The petition is calling on the Government to lower fuel tax, or freeze it at its current level, before the UK fleet industry suffers irreparable damage.

Jakes de Kock, marketing director of The Fuelcard Company said: “The fleet industry is the backbone of the UK economy, providing a vital logistical service to businesses and organisations across the country and yet is left perpetually struggling to stay afloat thanks to these apparently never-ending hikes in fuel duty.

“We are calling on the Government to support the UK fleet industry which has suffered in the past few years with repeated fuel tax hikes leaving many companies fighting for survival. The latest measures announced in the emergency budget, including the increase in VAT and the change to capital allowances, will only serve to weaken the industry further.”