RAC Report on Motoring 2004: consumers support fuel tax

- 38% of motorists consider the tax disc to be wholly outdated, with the majority stating that it makes the system easy to cheat - 54% oppose the use of satellite tracking for road charging in respect of passenger cars. Even if complete confidentiality was guaranteed, only 32% would support its introduction - Suggestions for a daily road user charge onto which tax would be added would be opposed by 71% of motorists

Despite apparent willingness to pay tax on fuel, the RAC's report shows that only 54% of motorists are confident that they know how much their annual fuel bill totals. In reality, the RAC says, the average motorist spends £964 per annum on fuel.

The RAC Report shows that even if motoring costs and taxes were increased by £1,500 per annum, only 30% of drivers would definitely switch to alternative transport, so fuel would have to almost double in price to get commuters out of their cars.