Kiwis pay too much for petrol, says AA

The Automobile Association says petrol users are getting a raw deal after petrol tax changes last year.

Petrol users are paying over eight cents per litre too much when it comes to petrol taxes used for roads, according to the Automobile Association.

AA spokesman Mike Noon said a law change last year effectively meant more of the petrol tax was diverted to roads, away from a Crown consolidated fund.

He said the costs of roading had previously meant petrol users had paid 55 per cent of roading costs, compared to diesel users' 45 per cent.

But Mr Noon said since the law change, petrol users are now paying 63 per cent, compared to diesel's 37 per cent.

He said that translates to a shortfall from diesel users of $289 million.

"We just want everyone to pay their fair share," Mr Noon said.

However truckies say they already pay more than their counterparts overseas and the law change last year goes some way to closing the gap.

Road Transport Forum chief executive Tony Friedlander said road user charges in New Zealand are between 100 per cent and 200 per cent higher than countries like Australia, Britain and the US.

He said that is important for business.

"Freight costs we have to charge are higher than our competitors and that effects farmers, all exporters, forestry and so on," Mr Friedlander said.

A Road User Charges Review Group was established in August last year to review the charges system.

The group has recently submitted a report to the Transport Minister Steven Joyce.

A spokeswoman for the minister said the Minister has asked for more information from his ministry. She said the report has not been discussed at Cabinet but an announcement is expected "in a few weeks".

- NZ HERALD ONLINE