THOUSANDS of Ford ute drivers will have to fork out more than their Holden counterparts to travel on toll roads in Victoria.

EastLink and CityLink have both admitted to wrongly billing many Ford ute drivers who now face increased tolls. But owners of Holden utes remain untouched.

VicRoads classifies Holden utes as a “car” but a Ford Falcon ute as a “light commercial vehicle” due to differences in construction design.

This means a trip along EastLink from Springvale Rd to the Frankston Freeway would cost Ford Falcon ute drivers $9.67 while their Holden counterparts would be charged only $6.04.

A complete trip during peak time along CityLink in a Holden ute would cost $8.69 or $11.57 in a Ford.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Has your car been reclassified light commercial? Tell us below

EastLink communications adviser Kate De Clercq said Ford ute owners who did not order a new e-tag classing their vehicle as a “light commercial vehicle” risked having their account suspended and fines imposed.

“If they are travelling on the road with a suspended account they start to get penalties,” Ms De Clercq said.

“We would encourage people to make that change as soon as they can.”

She said a recent technology upgrade found that “Victorian toll road operators have identified a small percentage of customers are using the wrong class of tag in their vehicle and may not be paying the required toll”.

Lifelong Ford man Terry Bidey was shocked to hear that his prized XR8 ute would be costing him more on toll roads.

“I was very surprised to be notified that my ute that I’ve been driving for 10 years has all of a sudden changed to a commercial ute,” Mr Bidey said.

“I’ve always been a Ford man — I think this is just ridiculous.”

Mr Bidey, a truck driver form Carrum Downs, said he didn’t use his ute as a commercial vehicle and that it was essentially just a two-door car.

Ms De Clercq could not confirm how many drivers had been affected.

CityLink confirmed customers had been notified of the toll errors and advised to get a new e-tag.