Independent truckers who drive their own rigs will be among those hardest hit by B.C.'s new carbon tax – and the accompanying income tax breaks will give them little relief.

The average long-haul owner-operator who burns up 70,000 litres of diesel a year will pay $3,000 in carbon tax over the next 12 months.

That driver, based on average taxable earnings of $30,000, will get a supposedly offsetting tax break of just $55, according to the B.C. Trucking Association.

President Paul Landry says that's a pittance representing just a few cents back for every carbon tax dollar paid.

"This tax is patently unfair for our industry," he said. "Many in our industry will pay thousands of dollars in carbon tax every year."

While ordinary families are being promised they could come out ahead with a bit of conservation, Landry says truckers are being left in the ditch.

"Government believes industry will fully recover a carbon tax from our customers," he said.

While that will happen to some degree, he said there will be "huge imbalances" among drivers and companies.

Landry is calling on finance minister Colin Hansen to put together an aid package for truckers to help improve truck fleet efficiency.

Retrofits to make trucks more aerodynamic, installing anti-idling devices and switching to low-rolling resistance tires could improve fuel efficiency up to 30 per cent.

Landry said the province should help truckers switch to those and other technologies by offering rebates like the ones it pays out to hybrid car buyers, no-interest loans and PST exemptions.

He also proposes a licensing fee holiday for trucks that have smog-free engines.

Surrey trucker Ed Rabideau says fuel prices are "insane" and threaten to cause many drivers to quit.

"The fuel prices are absolutely killing this industry," he said. "I've never seen so many rigs for sale in my life."

jnagel@surreyleader.com