Eurovignette reform to make truck tolls more efficient

© European Communities

On 30 March, EU transport ministers held a public debate on a proposal targeting heavy goods vehicles ("Eurovignette").

The Eurovignette directive governs road tolls and charges for trucks. (The word "Eurovignette" itself refers to a toll sticker which gives access to the road networks of several member states.)

Under the proposed rules, member states would be able to calculate and vary tolls on the basis of costs of pollution and congestion. Factors to be considered include the vehicle class, the distance travelled, the type of route and the time of day. Charges will provide an incentive for hauliers to use cleaner vehicles and to consider taking less congested routes.

The proposal is part of a wider strategy to ensure fair treatment for transport users and society as a whole. Time wasted in traffic jams and health problems caused by local air pollution are a real cost to society and the economy. Currently, these external costs are mainly borne by the rest of society, for instance through general taxation. This imbalance can be redressed by making the various modes of transport pay for the harm they cause and applying the "user pays" and "polluter pays" principles.

In all new measures, the usual EU open-market rules must be respected.

Work on the proposal will continue on the basis of the guidance provided by the ministers.

More information:

Council press release(pdf)

Council webcast of press conference