The PayGo model is based on old numbers and is overcharging the trucking industry, ATA’s Stuart St Clair says.

The Australian Trucking Association says the disparity will cost the industry $200 million in 2014-2015.

The chief executive says figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) are very different to those used by PayGo to determine road expenditures.

St Clair says the 2014 Motor Vehicle Census (MVC) population figures show a massive difference to the PayGo figures.

The MVC numbers suggest 540,592 heavy vehicles were registered in Australia at January 31.

But the PayGo modelling to determine heavy vehicle charges runs from a base population of 462,765 heavy vehicles.

MVC stats also show that trucks have led commercial vehicle growth over the past five years, with light rigid truck sales up 22.5 per cent, light commercial vehicles 19.1 per cent and articulated trucks 15.6 per cent.

“The PayGo model divides current road expenditures by the estimated number of heavy vehicles that were on the road three years prior,” St Clair said in a statement.

“Because this figure is missing nearly 80,000 heavy vehicles, the amount charged to each truck is higher than it should be.

“The ATA called on transport ministers to update the way the PayGo model is calculated earlier this year, a move which was supported by the NTC.

“However, the state ministers refused to stop the over-recovery and rejected the NTC options.

“Because of this decision, the industry will be overcharged by more than $200 million in 2014-15.”