EC URGES BELGIUM TO FULLY IMPLEMENT EUROVIGNETTE DIRECTIVE
On 18 June, the European Commission issued a reasoned opinion to Belgium for failing to fully transpose Directive (EU) 2022/362, the so-called Eurovignette Directive. Belgium missed the transposition deadline of 25 March 2024 and, despite a formal notice on 23 May 2024, has only partially complied by notifying the implementation of measures in the Flanders and Brussels Capital regions, but not for the Wallonia region.
In response to Belgium's partial compliance, the European Commission has taken the step of issuing a reasoned opinion, which serves as a formal request to comply with EU law. Belgium now has two-months to address the shortcomings and fully transpose the Directive. Failure to do so within this period may result in the Commission escalating the matter to the Court of Justice of the European Union.
In addition, CLECAT calls on the Commission to shortly adopt the targeted amendment to the Eurovignette Directive to extend the possibility to exempt zero-emission trucks for road charges beyond 2025.
As stated in our position paper, toll reductions play a crucial role in offsetting the higher total cost of ownership for zero-emission trucks in comparison to diesel powered trucks. Removing them prematurely would disproportionately penalise early adopters and potentially stifle demand for zero-emission solutions, jeopardising the EU's emission-reduction targets. Therefore, CLECAT proposes to amend the Directive to allow Member States to exempt zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles from road charges until 31 December 2030. This amendment would provide additional time for the development of charging and refuelling infrastructure, allows for increased market penetration of zero-emission vehicles, and maintains a crucial economic incentive for operators to transition to cleaner technologies.
Source: European Commission