> […] and on top of that are almost always registered as "business vehicles" (you can tell from the V plate) which means they pay an absolute pittance in tax.

In Ontario, Canada, (AIUI) you have to get a commercial car plate for pickup trucks.

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_registration_plates_of...

If you want personal / non-commercial plates you have to get inspections done:

* https://forms.mgcs.gov.on.ca/en/dataset/on00719