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News

The latest RUC news and developments from around the world.

61 articles

•News, analysis & opinion

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Australia halves fuel excise and eases heavy vehicle charges as cost pressures bite

The Albanese government has cut the fuel excise for three months and reduced road user charges for heavy vehicles, while concerns grow about enforcement of a social media ban for under-16s.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•12 May 2026•3 min read

New ZealandPolicyCostsRegulation

Australia halves fuel excise and eases heavy vehicle charges as cost pressures bite

Should planned fuel tax and RUC rises go ahead as oil prices surge?

With international oil prices climbing and road maintenance needs persistent, political debate has reopened over scheduled increases to fuel excise and road user charges and who will bear the cost.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•29 Apr 2026•3 min read

New ZealandPolicyCostsIndustry

Should planned fuel tax and RUC rises go ahead as oil prices surge?

Australia halves fuel excise and cuts heavy vehicle road user charge to zero for three months

The Australian government will halve petrol and diesel excise and suspend the heavy vehicle road user charge for three months, aiming to ease costs amid global fuel price pressure. Implications for cross‑Tasman operators are noted.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•29 Apr 2026•2 min read

New ZealandPolicyCostsOperations

Australia halves fuel excise and cuts heavy vehicle road user charge to zero for three months

Government resists cutting fuel taxes and RUC as Middle East conflict drives diesel shock

Government ministers warn New Zealand cannot control international drivers of the fuel shock and will not cut fuel tax or road user charges, as diesel prices bite households, farmers and businesses.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•16 Apr 2026•6 min read

New ZealandPolicyCostsIndustry

Government resists cutting fuel taxes and RUC as Middle East conflict drives diesel shock

Calls to boycott RUC payments risk backfiring as diesel prices climb

Online groups urging drivers to stop paying road user charges (RUCs) as diesel prices rise could face penalties, and would do little to ease costs for many rural and farming users.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•16 Apr 2026•3 min read

New ZealandPolicyEnforcementCosts

Calls to boycott RUC payments risk backfiring as diesel prices climb

Australia halves fuel excise for three months and pauses heavy vehicle charge rise

Federal government will cut the fuel excise by 50% for three months and delay a heavy vehicle road user charge increase, aiming to ease cost pressures and protect fuel supply.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•2 Apr 2026•5 min read

New ZealandPolicyCostsOperations

Australia halves fuel excise for three months and pauses heavy vehicle charge rise

Nicky Wills rules out cutting road user charges as diesel prices surge

Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the government will not reduce road user charges despite a diesel price spike linked to the Middle East conflict, citing fairness and targeting concerns.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•31 Mar 2026•2 min read

New ZealandPolicyCostsIndustry

Nicky Wills rules out cutting road user charges as diesel prices surge

Government signals possible delay to planned fuel tax rises amid fuel crisis

Transport Minister Chris Bishop says planned fuel excise increases may be deferred as officials weigh responses to rising pump prices and shifting travel behaviour, while the move to replace excise with RUCs remains.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•29 Mar 2026•3 min read

New ZealandPolicyCostsOperations

Government signals possible delay to planned fuel tax rises amid fuel crisis

Government offers $52.7m interest-free loans to double public EV chargers

The Crown will lend $52.7 million, interest free, to two companies to fund about 2,574 new public EV charge points, more than doubling New Zealand's public charging network and targeting rural as well as urban sites.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•26 Mar 2026•5 min read

New ZealandPolicyIndustryCosts

Government offers $52.7m interest-free loans to double public EV chargers

Diesel narrows gap with petrol as both fuels jump, squeezing freight operators

Diesel prices have risen to within about 20c of 91 petrol as nationwide fuel costs climb sharply, increasing pressure on freight operators who face higher operating costs and road user charges.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•26 Mar 2026•3 min read

New ZealandCostsIndustryMarkets

Diesel narrows gap with petrol as both fuels jump, squeezing freight operators

Road User Charging Conference 2026 returns with a focus on delivery, interoperability and decarbonisation

The Brussels conference on 3–4 March 2026 will spotlight practical deployments of road user charging, cross-border operations, fraud prevention and CO2-differentiated tolling, with sessions for policymakers and operators.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•27 Feb 2026•5 min read

United StatesPolicyIndustryTechnologyOperations

Road User Charging Conference 2026 returns with a focus on delivery, interoperability and decarbonisation

Proposed toll revisions could raise holiday driving costs

A policy group warns a Transport Bill would expand tolling powers across New Zealand, potentially allowing corridor tolls, ring‑fencing removal and forced route use, affecting motorists and freight costs.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•5 Feb 2026•5 min read

New ZealandPolicyCostsRegulation

Proposed toll revisions could raise holiday driving costs

Meet Bernardo Galantini of Transport & Environment, speaker at Road User Charging Conference 2026

Transport & Environment freight officer Bernardo Galantini will speak at the Road User Charging Conference about CO2-based truck tolls and measures to accelerate adoption of zero-emission trucks across Europe.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•3 Feb 2026•3 min read

United KingdomIndustryPolicyTechnology

Meet Bernardo Galantini of Transport & Environment, speaker at Road User Charging Conference 2026

Iceland introduces nationwide, fuel‑neutral per-kilometre charge for all road vehicles

Iceland has extended its kilometre-based road user charge to every road-registered vehicle from 1 January 2026, applying weight-based, fuel-neutral rates and removing fuel duty components.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•18 Jan 2026•4 min read

IcelandPolicyRegulationCosts

Iceland introduces nationwide, fuel‑neutral per-kilometre charge for all road vehicles

Iceland’s new per-kilometre road tax: what travellers and rental fleets need to know

From 1 January 2026 Iceland replaces fuel levies with a mileage-based road tax, affecting tourist routes, car rental pricing and regional visitation patterns, with implications for infrastructure funding.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•11 Jan 2026•4 min read

IcelandPolicyIndustryCosts

Iceland’s new per-kilometre road tax: what travellers and rental fleets need to know

Iceland’s mileage-based fee set to alter road travel habits and rental industry dynamics

A distance-based tax introduced for electric and hybrid vehicles, and set to expand to all cars, is raising concerns that Iceland’s popular self-drive tourism and rental industry will face higher costs and behavioural shifts.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•4 Jan 2026•5 min read

IcelandPolicyIndustryCosts

Iceland’s mileage-based fee set to alter road travel habits and rental industry dynamics

Iceland to roll out weight-adjusted distance charge across entire vehicle fleet

Iceland's parliament has approved a nationwide kilometre charge based on vehicle weight, affecting petrol, diesel and electric vehicles from 1 January 2026 and raising running costs for many drivers.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•23 Dec 2025•1 min read

IcelandPolicyCostsRegulation

Iceland to roll out weight-adjusted distance charge across entire vehicle fleet

NatRoad warns higher road user charges will push freight costs up

Transport peak bodies say a proposed 6% rise in heavy vehicle road user charges would add to already crippling costs for trucking operators and flow through to household prices.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•22 Dec 2025•6 min read

AustraliaPolicyIndustryCosts

NatRoad warns higher road user charges will push freight costs up

Government seeks industry ideas to digitise RUC for 3.6 million petrol vehicles

Transport Minister Chris Bishop has opened a request for information to industry on electronic road user charges, aiming to modernise payments and invite new providers while protecting privacy.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•6 Dec 2025•2 min read

New ZealandPolicyTechnologyOperations

Government seeks industry ideas to digitise RUC for 3.6 million petrol vehicles

UK to introduce pay-per-mile road user charge for EVs from 2028

The UK will introduce a pay-per-mile road user charge for electric and hybrid cars from 2028, raising new revenue while prompting questions about EV sales and transport policy impacts.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•2 Dec 2025•2 min read

United KingdomPolicyCostsIndustry

UK to introduce pay-per-mile road user charge for EVs from 2028

Government opens RFI to explore electronic payment options for RUC

A Government Request for Information seeks commercial ideas for electronic road user charge payments, aiming to modernise RUC, protect privacy and broaden who can sell and manage charges for drivers.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•27 Nov 2025•2 min read

New ZealandPolicyTechnologyMarkets

Government opens RFI to explore electronic payment options for RUC

Freight groups warn corridor tolling and new RUC options will be hard for users to accept

Freight lobby Transporting New Zealand says proposed changes to tolling and road user charge payments risk double-charging motorists and restricting heavy vehicle route choice.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•18 Nov 2025•2 min read

New ZealandPolicyIndustryCosts

Freight groups warn corridor tolling and new RUC options will be hard for users to accept

Minister moves to modernise RUC system and expand tolling powers

A new bill introduced to Parliament would modernise road user charges, open RUC payments to private providers, and change tolling rules, with assessment of a petrol tax replacement due in 2027.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•18 Nov 2025•3 min read

New ZealandPolicyRegulationOperations

Minister moves to modernise RUC system and expand tolling powers

Taxpayers' Union supports expanded tolling model while cautioning against additional vehicle levy

The Taxpayers' Union welcomes the Government's user-pays tolling approach but cautions corridor tolling must remain revenue-neutral and not become an additional road tax for motorists.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•18 Nov 2025•1 min read

New ZealandPolicyCostsIndustry

Taxpayers' Union supports expanded tolling model while cautioning against additional vehicle levy

Government tables legislation to begin transition from fuel excise to nationwide road user charging system

A new Land Transport (Revenue) Amendment Bill aims to modernise road charging, enable electronic RUC for light petrol vehicles, and expand tolling powers, with a system review planned for 2027.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•15 Nov 2025•3 min read

New ZealandPolicyRegulationCosts

Government tables legislation to begin transition from fuel excise to nationwide road user charging system

UK weighs per-mile levy on electric vehicles to offset declining fuel duty revenue

The UK Treasury is reportedly weighing a per‑mile levy on electric vehicles, around 3p per mile, to offset lost fuel duty revenue. Consultation, timing and design remain undecided.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•9 Nov 2025•4 min read

United KingdomPolicyCostsIndustry

UK weighs per-mile levy on electric vehicles to offset declining fuel duty revenue

Webfleet and Picobyte integrate to give New Zealand fleets an eRUC-ready telematics solution

Webfleet has partnered with Picobyte to integrate approved eRUC services into its telematics platform, giving New Zealand fleets a route to prepare for mandatory eRUC from 1 July 2027.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•8 Oct 2025•5 min read

New ZealandTechnologyIndustryRegulation

Webfleet and Picobyte integrate to give New Zealand fleets an eRUC-ready telematics solution

Universal RUCs from 2027: Who pays more and how that could affect emissions

The government's plan to make road user charges universal from 2027 shifts petrol drivers onto per-kilometre charges, with experts split on whether that will raise or cut transport emissions and who will pay more.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•5 Sept 2025•5 min read

New ZealandPolicyCostsIndustry

Universal RUCs from 2027: Who pays more and how that could affect emissions

Concerns over $363 a year road user charge for Australian electric vehicle owners

A proposed road user charge for electric vehicles has prompted industry alarm and political debate, with critics warning it could slow EV uptake and undermine climate goals.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•24 Aug 2025•2 min read

AustraliaPolicyCostsIndustry

Concerns over $363 a year road user charge for Australian electric vehicle owners

Australian per-kilometre road-user charge moves closer, national plan to be developed

Federal ministers and state treasurers agreed to develop an options paper on a per-kilometre road-user charge, potentially covering electric and petrol vehicles and aiming to replace some fuel excise revenue.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•24 Aug 2025•4 min read

AustraliaPolicyRegulationCosts

Australian per-kilometre road-user charge moves closer, national plan to be developed

Momentum builds for Australia to consider nationwide road pricing following New Zealand reform

Industry groups urge Australia to design a nationally consistent road user charge by 2028, following New Zealand’s shift from fuel excise to distance- and weight-based charges for all vehicles.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•18 Aug 2025•3 min read

AustraliaPolicyIndustryCosts

Momentum builds for Australia to consider nationwide road pricing following New Zealand reform

Government pushes nationwide road charging plan, raising questions over complexity and environmental impact

The coalition will extend road user charges to petrol vehicles by 2027. Implementation, privacy, fairness and emissions alignment remain unresolved, with private tech providers likely to play a major role.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•17 Aug 2025•7 min read

New ZealandPolicyRegulationCosts

Government pushes nationwide road charging plan, raising questions over complexity and environmental impact

New road user charge calculator: What switching from fuel tax could mean for your petrol bill

The Government plans to replace petrol fuel tax with per-kilometre road user charges in 2027. Here’s how the change works, who it affects, and example costs for typical driving.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•17 Aug 2025•3 min read

New ZealandPolicyCostsOperations

New road user charge calculator: What switching from fuel tax could mean for your petrol bill

Debate over EV road user charge in Australia gains momentum

Federal discussions on introducing a road user charge that would affect electric and conventional vehicles are gathering pace, with industry bodies and experts urging a universal, fair approach tied to mass and distance.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•16 Aug 2025•5 min read

AustraliaPolicyCostsIndustry

Debate over EV road user charge in Australia gains momentum

Eroad pitches $40 windscreen tag as universal RUC option, privacy concerns flagged

Eroad says a low-cost windscreen tag or smartphone link could record mileage if New Zealand moves to universal road user charges, while privacy issues have been raised around location data collection.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•15 Aug 2025•2 min read

New ZealandTechnologyIndustryPolicy

Eroad pitches $40 windscreen tag as universal RUC option, privacy concerns flagged

Petrol, diesel, hybrid or EV: What Australia’s proposed road-user charge could mean for you

The federal government is advancing a distance-based road-user charge for electric vehicles, with the potential to expand to all light vehicles. Here’s how it would affect different drivers and vehicle types.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•14 Aug 2025•6 min read

AustraliaPolicyCostsIndustry

Petrol, diesel, hybrid or EV: What Australia’s proposed road-user charge could mean for you

Petrol to join RUC system, digital rollout expected by 2027

Government plans to replace petrol excise with electronic road user charges, moving all light vehicles onto a distance-based, digitally enabled system that should open to providers by 2027.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•14 Aug 2025•6 min read

New ZealandPolicyIndustryTechnology

Petrol to join RUC system, digital rollout expected by 2027

Drivers could face higher bills under planned universal road user charges

The government plans to replace petrol excise with electronic road user charges for all light vehicles by 2027. Motoring groups warn administration costs and transition timing may push up bills.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•14 Aug 2025•3 min read

New ZealandPolicyCostsOperations

Drivers could face higher bills under planned universal road user charges

NZ Trucking Association endorses move toward unified national road charging framework

The NZ Trucking Association supports the Government’s plan to move from fuel excise to a single, unified Road User Charges system, arguing it is fairer and more sustainable as vehicle technologies change.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•13 Aug 2025•2 min read

New ZealandPolicyIndustryCosts

NZ Trucking Association endorses move toward unified national road charging framework

Major shake-up to vehicle charges called most significant in decades as Bishop responds to public queries

Cabinet agreed first steps to move petrol vehicles to electronic road user charges after 2027. Transport Minister Chris Bishop addressed common concerns about petrol prices, enforcement, and tech costs.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•11 Aug 2025•5 min read

New ZealandPolicyCostsOperations

Major shake-up to vehicle charges called most significant in decades as Bishop responds to public queries

Government outlines plan to end petrol tax and move all cars onto Road User Charges

Transport Minister Chris Bishop has unveiled legislative changes and a technology-led plan to expand Road User Charges to all vehicles, preparing to replace fuel excise as the primary road funding source.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•9 Aug 2025•4 min read

New ZealandPolicyRegulationOperations

Government outlines plan to end petrol tax and move all cars onto Road User Charges

Key unknowns surrounding proposal to phase out fuel excise and roll out universal road user charges

Cabinet has agreed to begin replacing petrol excise with an electronic road user charges system for every vehicle. Several key details remain unresolved for drivers, fleets and businesses.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•8 Aug 2025•6 min read

New ZealandPolicyRegulationCosts

Key unknowns surrounding proposal to phase out fuel excise and roll out universal road user charges

Bishop says replacing petrol tax with electronic RUCs from 2027 will ‘help’ motorists

Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced Cabinet has agreed to begin replacing petrol excise with electronic road user charges from 2027, saying the move will improve cash flow for motorists while protecting funding for roads.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•7 Aug 2025•3 min read

New ZealandPolicyRegulationCosts

Bishop says replacing petrol tax with electronic RUCs from 2027 will ‘help’ motorists

Pennsylvania starts annual road user charge for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles

Pennsylvania has begun charging EV and plug-in hybrid owners an annual road user charge to help fund roads and bridges, with 2025 fees set at $200 for EVs and $50 for PHEVs.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•24 Apr 2025•3 min read

United StatesPolicyRegulationCosts

Pennsylvania starts annual road user charge for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles

Distance-based vehicle fees face resistance as US states look beyond fuel taxes

States confronting falling gas-tax revenues have studied mileage-based fees for years, but only a few have adopted them. Several legislatures are considering road user charges amid transit funding shortfalls.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•27 Mar 2025•6 min read

United StatesPolicyRegulationCosts

Distance-based vehicle fees face resistance as US states look beyond fuel taxes

Road user charges raise EV running costs, but home-charged EVs still usually cheaper than petrol

Road user charges for electric vehicles are now the same as diesel at $76 per 1000km. Charging location and lost purchase incentives determine whether EVs keep a running-cost edge over petrol cars.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•21 Apr 2024•5 min read

New ZealandPolicyCostsIndustry

Road user charges raise EV running costs, but home-charged EVs still usually cheaper than petrol

Electric vehicles to start paying road user charges from April 1, adding about $1,000 a year for many drivers

From April 1 light electric vehicles will lose their RUC exemption, paying **$76 per 1000km** (PHEVs **$53/1000km**), affecting annual costs, administration and fleet budgeting.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•22 Jan 2024•5 min read

New ZealandPolicyRegulationCosts

Electric vehicles to start paying road user charges from April 1, adding about $1,000 a year for many drivers

High Court strikes down Victoria’s EV distance charge, raising questions for NZ RUC plans

Australia’s High Court has invalidated Victoria’s distance-based EV levy, a ruling that could influence New Zealand’s upcoming road-user charges for electric vehicles starting March 2024.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•27 Oct 2023•2 min read

AustraliaPolicyEnforcementCosts

High Court strikes down Victoria’s EV distance charge, raising questions for NZ RUC plans

Federal steps toward a national road usage charge pilot under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law directs USDOT to run a national road usage charge pilot, create an advisory board, and continue grant support to states, steps that could guide a transition from fuel taxes.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•12 May 2023•4 min read

United StatesPolicyRegulationOperations

Federal steps toward a national road usage charge pilot under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Implications of electric vehicle road pricing for Australia’s fleet operators

As states move toward kilometre-based charges for EVs, national fleet operators face new cross-border administration, differing start dates and collection methods, and opportunities to use technology to simplify compliance.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•18 Mar 2023•3 min read

AustraliaPolicyIndustryOperations

Implications of electric vehicle road pricing for Australia’s fleet operators

Study suggests Victoria’s per-kilometre EV levy may significantly dampen electric vehicle uptake

A University of Queensland analysis suggests Victoria’s proposed 2.5c/km charge on electric vehicles would lower EV market share by around 25% by 2050 unless paired with stronger incentives.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•3 Dec 2020•5 min read

AustraliaPolicyCostsMarkets

Study suggests Victoria’s per-kilometre EV levy may significantly dampen electric vehicle uptake

Oregon launches first US pay-per-mile road charging pilot

Oregon opened its voluntary OReGO pay-per-mile programme for up to 5,000 vehicles, charging 1.5 cents per mile and crediting state gas tax paid at the pump, while seeking participant feedback.

RUC Hub Editorial Team•11 Jul 2015•2 min read

United StatesPolicyTechnologyOperations

Oregon launches first US pay-per-mile road charging pilot