The pre-Budget report offered a further boost for electric car and van users, but there was little to cheer for hard-up hauliers, according to one motor industry group.
The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association said the measures outlined by chancellor Alistair Darling provided "no incentive" to freight operators struggling during the recession.
While the decision to exempt electric cars and vans from benefit-in-kind tax over the next five years was good for motorists and fleet managers, the group claimed similar provisions should have been made for hauliers.
Chief executive of the organisation John Lewis said the chancellor should have introduced an incentive scheme making it easier for operators to switch from old trucks to new, more environmentally-friendly models.
The lack of such an initiative, together with the confirmed increase in fuel duty for April 2010, meant Mr Darling's report made grim reading for logistics firms, he added.
"Once again the chancellor talks about encouraging road users to make the right transport choices, but gives no help or incentive to hauliers, who will play an essential role in helping the economy out of recession," Mr Lewis said.
The Road Haulage Association also expressed its disappointment at the confirmed fuel duty hike, pointing out that rates have now climbed by 16 per cent in as many months.
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