Road pricing would see a drop in income for nearly two thirds of North-East businesses, according to new research.
A survey commissioned by the CBI and regional development agencies including One NorthEast has found 62% of businesses asked believe their sales would fall, while only 38% think they would see an increase.
The results show a massive 85% of North-East businesses could expect to see an increase in their travel and transport costs, with only 15% expecting a decrease.
Margaret Fay, chairman of One NorthEast, said she understood the concerns on road pricing, but the crucial issue was how any scheme was implemented.
She said: "What has come out of the work we've done is that business is concerned with how the money (revenue from road pricing) is spent.
"There has to be a guarantee on money being put back into the transport system, and improving it.
"If business knew where the money was going to be spent, they would find it easier to buy into the process."
She said the first regions to adopt road pricing might gain some benefit in terms of funding.
"You would hope there would be some advantage in being a `first runner' region, that there would be much more (money) for those who go first than those who lag."
Andrew Sugden, head of policy for the North-East Chamber of Commerce, said: "Obviously our concern is exactly what shape and form the road pricing will take.
"Potentially there are opportunities for businesses to get goods to market with some kind of guarantee on the time they will need - if it has an impact on congestion.
"Where we are most concerned is if road pricing is introduced here, and not nationwide - that would seriously dent our competitiveness."
But Alan Hall, of manufacturers body EEF Northern, said he was surprised by the fear of a drop in sales.
He said: "I can understand the impact on costs, but I don't know why it should have an impact on sales.
"The main response I've had from people is more about whether a region like the North-East, with our levels of congestion, needs road pricing at all."
