Flanders plans higher kilometre tolls on heavy diesel trucks to boost revenue by 27%

According to a report by transportmedia.be, the plan is set out in the new Flemish coalition agreement and would represent a 27% rise compared to 2024, when the road toll generated €658 million. The additional revenue would come entirely from higher rates on heavy diesel trucks, in line with EU rules, rather than an expansion of the toll road network.

The revised tariff structure is expected to take effect from 1 July 2026, as stipulated in the Belgian interregional toll agreement.

The announcement has triggered strong reactions from the Flemish transport sector. Speaking to De Tijd, Frederic Keymeulen of the trade association Transport & Logistiek Vlaanderen (TLV) said that kilometre charges already account for 8–10% of a transport company’s operating costs. With around half of toll revenues coming from Belgian hauliers, TLV argues that the burden falls heavily on domestic operators, many of which are small and medium-sized firms.

“Still higher kilometre charges could mean the end for some companies,” Keymeulen warned, citing a study by data provider Graydon showing that only one in three transport businesses in Belgium are financially resilient enough to absorb shocks.

The kilometre-based toll for trucks over 3.5 tonnes has applied in Belgium since 2016. Rates vary by vehicle weight and emissions class, with Euro 6 trucks paying less. According to TLV, the new surcharge would be linked to CO2 emissions, but the detailed legal text has not yet been published.

In principle, a CO2-linked toll should encourage investment in zero-emission vehicles. However, sector representatives stress that the transition is not simple.

“At present, an electric truck costs roughly three times as much as a diesel one,” Keymeulen said, noting that subsidies are limited and apply to a maximum of two e-trucks per company.

In addition, from 2026 the exemption from road tolls for electric trucks will be partly phased out.