The government is likely to levy fuel tax soon while rolling back road tolls and maintenance taxes, a senior researcher close to energy policy makers said yesterday

"The government has repeatedly said that it is looking for an appropriate time to start levying fuel tax, and now, with the global oil prices going down so much over the past few months, I think this is a great time to impose the tax," Han Wenke, director-general of the Energy Research Institute of the National Development and Reform Commission, told China Daily.

The timing of the introduction of such a tax has long been a hot topic. Many believe the present low crude oil prices present a perfect opportunity for the government to levy the tax as a key step toward letting the market eventually set prices, as consumers will be more amenable when oil prices are low.