The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has challenged the government to help boost business and cut inflation by reducing fuel duty levels for hauliers.
The group claimed ministers have dealt themselves "a poor hand" by revealing that fuel costs were one of the main contributors to last year's hike in annual inflation.
It said this factor was exacerbated by the government itself after a series of successive, above-inflation fuel duty rises.
The FTA's Jo Tanner said this had raised the cost of transporting goods and services, increasing outgoings for businesses that rely on the logistics sector.
She called on the treasury to end its "obsession" with raising fuel duty and in turn put an end to the sharp increase in inflation.
"The power to bring [inflation] down – and help businesses – is in [the government's] hands," Ms Tanner said.
"By reducing fuel duty levels for commercial vehicles, it could help to keep prices of household goods down, and keep UK businesses moving."
The call comes after fellow industry group the Road Haulage Association also called on the government to ease the burden on hauliers by bringing an end to the recent fuel duty rises.
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