The European Union’s (EU) transport ministers have designed a new toll system, under which hauliers driving emissions-free trucks will get at least half off-road tolls within the EU.
Fossil fuel trucks will be charged based on their carbon emissions, with more efficient heavy-goods vehicles paying less, according to today’s statement (8 December).
Green group Transport & Environment said that, if agreed by the EU parliament, the new Eurovignette law will speed up the transition to zero-emissions freight and help alleviate air pollution in cities.
Transport ministers said zero-emission trucks, which are electrified or run on hydrogen, would get at least a 50% discount on charges by April 2023.
At the same time, countries can give larger discounts of up to 100% for zero-emissions lorries, as is already the case in Germany, until the end of 2025. After 2025, countries can offer discounts of between 50% and 75%, as is already the case in Austria.
“This is a breakthrough for green truck tolling. Heavy-goods vehicles will have to pay more if they emit more, and hauliers who invest in emissions free trucks will see their costs tumble. In negotiations, the European Parliament should also push for the polluter pays principle to be extended to noise and air pollution without exception,” explained James Nix, freight manager at T&E.
With regional delivery electric trucks becoming increasingly available, T&E said the toll discounts will help speed up the transition to e-mobility by slashing the costs of hauliers who buy them. Annual tolling costs can reach up to €25,000 (US$302,000) per truck, or one-quarter of the total cost of owning the vehicle.
Trucks are responsible for 23% of EU road transport emissions, said the EU announcement, and the EU ambassadors are expected to rubber stamp today’s agreement on 18 December.
Trilogue negotiations between governments and the EU Parliament on the final law are expected to begin in early 2021.
