The RHA has warned that a 10% tariff on new trucks will stall economic recovery following the coronavirus pandemic.
The Government has announced its new UK Global Tariff (UKGT), which will impose levies on imports from 1 January 2021.
But RHA Chief Executive, Richard Burnett, has said that the levies will make it harder for firms to invest in new, cleaner vehicles to move the goods that will drive economic recovery.
He commented: “The Government says it’s confident of securing a free trade agreement with the EU but if it fails to do so this truck tariff will be a crippling blow for hauliers – putting £10k on the price of a new lorry.
“At a time when they are struggling with coronavirus, clean air zones and Direct Vision Standard during a likely recession this is another very unwelcome cost for our industry.”
The UKGT will replace the EU’s Common External Tariff on 1 January 2021 at the end of the transition period.
