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CLECAT welcomed earlier this week in a press release the political informal agreement on the Eurovignette Directive reached on 16 June between negotiators from the European Parliament and the Council of the EU. The deal on new road charging rules supports the transition from time-based to distance-based charging, reducing CO2 emissions.

Nicolette van der Jagt, Director General of CLECAT, said: 'The move towards distance-based charging across the core TEN-T network from 2029 for heavy-duty vehicles is a much-welcomed result for freight forwarders. The phasing-out of the vignette for heavy vehicles will standardise a system that is currently excessively fragmented among European Member States.'

She continued: 'This will also speed up the transition to zero-emissions freight. Varying truck tolls according to CO2 and air pollutants emissions has been discussed across Europe for four years, so a deal is very welcomed. It will deliver incentives and investment certainty, support the decarbonisation of road freight, and help the EU and its Member States meet their climate commitments. From 2023, emissions-free trucks will get at least 50% discounts on road tolls while fossil-fuelled trucks will be charged based on their CO2 emissions and air pollution, with more efficient heavy-goods vehicles paying less.’

With regards to the earmarking of road charging revenues, CLECAT regrets the agreement is not more ambitious. The situation remains that, as a minimum, Member States should earmark revenues generated by infrastructure and external cost charges for projects in the transport sector, in particular in support of the trans-European transport network.

The text is now being finalised by negotiating teams in technical discussions. The Council's Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) will be asked to endorse the agreement by the end of June, and the European Parliament's Transport and Tourism (TRAN) Committee will vote on the file in July. The agreed text will then be formally adopted by both institutions later in the year.

CLECAT calls for a speedy adoption of the revised Eurovignette Directive. This will allow policymakers and industry to focus on the 'Fit for 55’ package, which will be published by mid-July.