Low-emission trucks and buses should benefit from reduced road tolls, argue MEPs 

On Tuesday, with 31 votes to 10 and one abstention, MEPs on the Transport and Tourism Committee, under the leadership of rapporteur Mateo Ricci (S&D, IT), have supported a Commission proposal to update EU road charging rules for vehicles in order to include the effect of trailers and semi-trailers on the CO2 emission-differentiated charging of heavy goods vehicles, such as trucks and buses. Although trailers do not emit emissions, they affect the total energy consumption of a vehicle combination by reducing overall emissions. Therefore, MEPs were convinced that the use of efficient trailers should be rewarded with the possibility to apply lower toll charges.

Reduced tolls for low-emission vehicles

As the deployment of zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles is progressing more slowly than expected, the Transport and Tourism Committee wants to provide a temporary incentive for low-emission vehicles, especially for factory-equipped range-extender vehicles. They suggest allowing EU countries that apply toll exemptions to zero-emission vehicles to apply a 75% toll reduction for low-emission vehicles until 30 June 2031.

MEPs note that electrified transport refrigeration units (battery-powered or plug-in systems that replace diesel engines for cooling cargo in trucks and trailers) can contribute significantly to the decarbonisation of the road transport sector. They therefore argue that EU countries should be able to offer a proportionate reduction in tolls and user charges for vehicles equipped with these units.

Simplification

To increase legal clarity and reduce implementation and administrative obstacles, MEPs also agreed to align the current EU rules on road charges more closely with the EU rules setting CO2 emissions targets for trucks and buses. New CO2 emission standards for trucks and busses will kick in from 1 July 2026 and EU road charging rules should reflect this development.

Next steps

By 35 votes to 6 the Transport Committee MEPs also decided to start talks with EU countries on the final shape of the legislation. This decision needs a green light from Parliament as a whole, scheduled to meet in mid-May.

Background

Current EU road charging rules (in the Eurovignette Directive) do not oblige EU countries to charge vehicles for using their roads. However, should they choose to do so, they need to follow the charging principles set out in the directive. The road charging exemption for zero-emission trucks and buses remains also optional.