Episode 24

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Published on:

19th May 2026

Odometer readings or smarter tracking? The options for EV road pricing

As the Government prepares to introduce a new pay-per-mile charging scheme for electric vehicles from 2028, the debate is heating up and you’ll hear the latest thinking on today’s Highways Voices.

In this recorded inside the Houses of Parliament, industry leaders, campaign groups, technology experts and motoring representatives come together to tackle one of the biggest questions facing the future of transport funding: how do we replace fuel duty in an electric future, and can it be done fairly and effectively?

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With warnings of a £27 billion hole in Treasury finances as drivers move away from petrol and diesel, supporters argue EV road charging is inevitable. But concerns remain around privacy, public trust, fairness for drivers without home charging, and whether the technology, and politics, are ready.

This episode explores:

  • Why EV road charging is now firmly on the political agenda
  • Why simple odometer charging is not necessarily enough, or if smarter location-based systems are needed
  • The lessons the UK can learn from countries already operating road user charging
  • Fears around a lower EV uptake
  • Concerns around driver privacy, public acceptance and implementation timescales
  • Why the real challenge isn’t technology, but political courage

You’ll hear passionate arguments from across the sector, including advocates for smarter road pricing, warnings from EV drivers themselves, and hard-earned lessons from those who’ve delivered complex charging systems before.

Whether you work in highways, transport policy, mobility technology or simply want to understand how the UK pays for roads in a post-fuel-duty future, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Listen now and join the debate on the future of road charging in the UK.

You’ll hear from:

  • Ben Plowden – CEO, Campaign for Better Transport
  • Silviya Barrett - Director of Strategy and Research, Campaign for Better Transport
  • Tim Wray – UK & Ireland Sales Director. Kapsch
  • Max Sugarman – Chief Executive, Intelligent Transport Systems UK (ITS-UK)
  • Richard Sallnow – Associate, PA Consulting
  • Vicky Edmonds – CEO, EVA England
  • Steve Gooding, RAC Foundation, Director

Highways Voices is brought to you with our podcast partners the Transport Technology Forum, LCRIG, ITS UK and ADEPT.

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About the Podcast

Highways Voices: Talking Roads and Transport Technology innovation
The highways and transport technology industries' podcast from Highways-News.com
The Highways Voices podcast is a must-listen for professionals in the Highways and Transport Technology industries covering construction, maintenance, Intelligent Transport Systems and Public Transportation.

Presented by leading journalists Paul Hutton and Adrian Tatum, you’ll hear industry leaders sharing insights you won’t hear anywhere else, giving you a taste of the latest thinking about the sector's new techniques and technologies, collaborations and innovations. All in the time it takes for an average daily commute (or dog walk!).

We bring you keynote-speaker quality guests into your phone or laptop, ensuring every time you listen you’ll learn something new you can use in your day-to-day job.

Plus, you'll catch up with the top stories from the daily newsletters sent by Highways-News.com and hear the latest from our podcast partners LCRIG, the TTF, ADEPT and ITS UK.

About your host

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Highways Voices

Highways Voices is the weekly podcast from Highways-News.com. In it, Paul Hutton and Adrian Tatum speak to thought leaders, decision makers and inventors in the highways and transport technology industries. New editions are unloaded every Wednesday.