Heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles may be exempted from tolls for how long, according to the commission's proposal.
The European Commission has proposed an incentive to encourage the adoption of zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs). Under the proposal, these vehicles would be exempt from road tolls and user charges, a move aimed at reducing emissions from the heavy-duty road transport sector.
This development comes after the amendment of Directive 1999/62/EC in 2022, which enabled the differentiation of road charges based on vehicles' CO emissions. The proposed exemption period is synchronized with the EU's CO emission performance standards for new heavy-duty vehicles, which target a 43% reduction in emissions by 2030.
The heavy-duty road transport sector, despite comprising only 2.4% of the vehicle fleet, accounted for 27.5% of road transport CO emissions in 2022. This highlights the sector's significant contribution to overall emissions.
The Commission is proposing to extend the current exemption period from 31 December 2025 to 30 June 2031. Currently, only a partial reduction (between 50% and 75%) can be granted to zero-emission HDVs after 31 December 2025.
The incentive is seen as crucial for both European businesses and the achievement of climate goals. Apostolos Tzitzikostas, EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, stated that the extension of the exemption period provides a strong incentive for the industry to invest in zero-emission vehicles and reduce emissions from road transport.
In other related news, a Spanish CPO is expanding its charging network in France with 2,500 points, aiming to accelerate its presence in the country. Additionally, Flexecharge plans to expand its Virtual Power Plant to new European countries in 2025 and 2026, partnering with major Charge Point Operators (CPOs) to achieve this expansion.
However, the upfront cost of zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles remains higher than their conventional counterparts, a challenge that must be addressed to ensure widespread adoption.
Notably, the proposal will be considered by the European Parliament and the Council under the ordinary legislative procedure. Meanwhile, Munich Airport, one of Germany's largest public charging parks with over 1,140 charging points, continues to lead the way in promoting the use of electric vehicles.
The heavy-duty road transport sector produced 6.9% of all emissions in the EU. With this proposal, the European Commission is taking a significant step towards reducing these emissions and achieving its climate goals. The proposal is part of the Commission's broader Industrial Action Plan, launched in 2023, which aims to strengthen the European automotive industry.
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