TRAN COMMITTEE BACKS REDUCED ROAD TOLLS FOR LOW-EMISSION VEHICLES
Last week the European Parliament’ Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) adopted the report of MEP Matteo Ricci (S&D, Italy) on the Commission’s targeted amendments of the Eurovignette Directive. TRAN adopted a compromise amendment supported by EPP, ECR, and RENEW, which allows Member States to introduce reduced toll rates of up to 75% for vehicles equipped with low-emission technologies until 30 June 2031. The measure would apply provided that stronger incentives remain in place for fully electric vehicles. From 01 July 2031 onwards, the maximum reduction for low-emission vehicles would be capped at 50%.
The TRAN Committee supported the 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.
CLECAT continues to underline the importance of ensuring that any future tolling systems remain operationally feasible and workable for cross-border freight transport operations. This is particularly relevant regarding any possible differentiation linked to trailers, where practical implementation and interoperability challenges remain significant. The upcoming trilogue negotiations will now determine the final revised rules as the Council does not support the inclusion of trailers in the proposal for differentiated charging.
CLECAT welcomes the TRAN Committee’s recognition that the transition towards lower-emission road transport requires practical and technology-neutral solutions. CLECAT considers that low-emission technologies, including transitional solutions, can play an important role in reducing emissions whilst ensuring continuity and competitiveness of logistics operations. The adopted approach provides Member States with additional flexibility to support investments in cleaner vehicle technologies during the transition period.
Source: European Parliament