Parliamentary inquiry to investigate if higher charges for oversized utes are unfair
Large-sized vehicles take up more space on the roads, create more pollution and are less safe for other road users; But a parliamentary inquiry will consider whether it is fair to charge these vehicles more than other vehicles using Melbourne’s toll roads.
A new generation of full-size American commercial vehicles, including the Ford F-150 series and Ram 1500, have flooded the Australian market as tax benefits encourage drivers to buy larger vehicles.
These oversized vehicles are charged more than standard cars to use toll roads. The CityLink day pass for such utes is $52, compared to $24 for a car.
Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party MP Jeff Bourman believes the higher cost is unfair for vehicles classified as light commercial vehicles, defined as a two-axle rigid vehicle with a cab chassis structure and weighing between 1.5 and 4.5 tonnes.
“There are a lot of people in this world who double-cab because they can’t afford another vehicle that will meet their needs,” Bourman said. “The problem is that people who use their car as a means of transportation rather than as a commercial vehicle are charged twice as much as people who do the same thing in a slightly different car of about the same weight.”
Bourman, who drives a Ford Ranger, said that large-size cars have become widespread as family cars and should not be charged as commercial vehicles unless used for this purpose.
“The average Tesla weighs much more than the Ford Ranger, so wear and tear on the roads is not a concern because electric vehicles are priced at a much lower price,” he said.
Ford Rangers weigh between 1.7 and 2.4 tonnes, while Tesla models sold in Australia weigh between 1.6 and two tonnes.
Bourman launched a parliamentary inquiry into Transurban’s classification and pricing of private use of commercial vehicles, with a report date of 30 September.
“Melbourne motorists paid $1 billion in tolls last financial year,” he said. “CityLink’s fiscal 2025 revenue was $987 million, or approximately $2.7 million per day, up 4.1 percent from $948 million in fiscal 2024. Revenue continues to grow.”
Bourman said in NSW the vehicles were classed as class 2 motor vehicles and were charged the same amount as smaller passenger vehicles on toll roads.
Former MP and taxi and gig worker advocate Rod Barton said the problems dated back to the original CityLink deals negotiated during the Kennett government.
“This raises wider questions about the relationship between Transurban and successive Victorian governments and whether drivers are getting a fair deal,” he said.
Greens MP Katherine Copsey told parliament’s economy and infrastructure committee she opposed reducing the charge because heavier vehicles would cause “exponentially more” damage to Victoria’s roads.
“Where do all these elders go when they leave said turnpike?” Copsey said.
He said many sheds were too large for standard parking spaces, and this was a problem even in the parliamentary area, with vehicles spilling over the sides or spreading across two parking spaces.
“If people really want to choose vehicles that are larger, more harmful, more polluting, more costly to run and more damaging to our road surfaces, that is their choice, but we need to consider whether that is something we want to continue to subsidize through our public policy,” he said.
SUVs and light commercial vehicles made up 84 per cent of new vehicles sold in Australia in April, while sedans and other passenger cars made up just 11 per cent.
Sales data for April shows that the top 10 best-selling cars in Australia are all uutes and SUVs.
Hussein Dia, professor of future urban mobility at Monash University, said cars sold in Australia were getting heavier and continuing to grow, a phenomenon sometimes referred to as “auto-obesity”.
“It is only fair that the road operator earns more revenue from vehicles that contribute more to the wear and tear of the infrastructure,” he said.
A Victorian government spokesman said under contractual arrangements, Victorian toll road operators have the right to charge lower rates for vehicles classified as cars, higher rates for light commercial vehicles and top rates for heavy commercial vehicles.
“An investigation is ongoing into how private commercial vehicles were classified on Victorian toll roads, focusing on ensuring that charging remains fair, appropriate and fit for purpose,” he said.
A spokesman for Transurban declined to comment.
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