Toll waivers for zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles suggested by the commission; duration unspecified.
European Commission Proposes Exemption of Road Tolls and User Charges for Zero-Emission Heavy-Duty Vehicles
The European Commission has proposed a new initiative to boost the adoption of zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. The proposal, which is part of the EU's Strategic Dialogue on the Future of the European Automotive Industry and its Industrial Action Plan, aims to exempt zero-emission HDVs from road tolls and user charges.
Under the current rules, only a partial reduction (between 50% and 75%) can be granted to zero-emission HDVs after 31 December 2025. However, the Commission is proposing to extend this exemption period until 30 June 2031. This move is intended to offset the higher upfront cost of zero-emission HDVs compared to their conventional counterparts.
The heavy-duty road transport sector is a significant contributor to carbon emissions, accounting for 27.5% of road transport CO emissions in 2022, despite representing only 2.4% of the vehicle fleet. In 2022, the sector produced 6.9% of all emissions in the EU. The proposed exemption is expected to help reduce these emissions and align with the EU's CO emission performance standards for new heavy-duty vehicles, which target a 43% reduction in emissions by 2030.
Apostolos Tzitzikostas, EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, stated that the proposal aims to create the right conditions to support European businesses and reward pioneers in the transition to a low-carbon economy. The Commission has not announced any specific plans or timelines for the implementation of this proposal.
The Directive, which allows Member States to set reduced rates or even grant a full exemption for zero-emission HDVs from tolls or user charges, was amended in 2022 to enable the differentiation of road charges based on vehicles' CO emissions. Nine EU countries—Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, and Sweden—have already committed to initiatives supporting zero-emission trucks, including proposals for further toll exemptions and harmonized usage rights. Specific full toll exemptions for zero-emission heavy trucks are planned at least until 2030 or mid-2031, with some discussions of extending them through 2031.
The proposal will now be considered by the European Parliament and the Council under the ordinary legislative procedure. The outcome of this process will determine whether zero-emission HDVs will be exempt from road tolls and user charges across the EU, boosting demand for these vehicles and accelerating the uptake of zero-emission HDVs.
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