Truck tolls to pay for pollution

On 15 October, transport ministers reached a deal on the reform of road tolls for heavy goods vehicles, the "Eurovignette" directive. The aim is to make traffic less polluting and more fluid.

© Fotolia

Under the reform, member states may introduce an "external cost charge", which will require hauliers to pay for the cost of air and noise pollution caused by their vehicles. Currently, this cost is mainly borne by the rest of society, but the new rules will allow member states to adapt their road transport levies to apply more effectively the "polluter pays" principle.

The new toll will complement the already existing infrastructure charge for road construction and maintenance. The latter may also be modulated for the purpose of easing traffic jams.

The amount of levies will vary depending on the vehicle class and emissions, the distance travelled, the location and the time of day. As an incentive to opt for cleaner vehicles and to consider taking less busy routes, differentiated charging will contribute to cutting down fuel consumption and combating climate change.

The scope of the Eurovignette directive (its name refers to a toll sticker giving access to the road networks of several member states), which at present is limited to the trans-European road network, will be extended to cover all motorways.

The reform needs to be approved by the European Parliament.

More information:
Press release
Webcast of Council debate
Webcast of press conference