Discounts will be capped at 13%, but eligibility will depend on the monthly amount spent on tolls. Crucially, the discount thresholds will vary by operator, according to the French transport organisation FNTR.
The changes affect trucks and buses in classes 3 and 4, which are most commonly used in international transport:
- Class 3 – two-axle trucks and buses over 3 m in height or with a total weight exceeding 3.5 t.
- Class 4 – trucks and buses with at least three axles, including tractor-trailer combinations, also over 3.5 t.
This category of vehicles accounts for the largest share of traffic on French toll motorways and generates the highest toll expenditure.
New discount thresholds
From October, discounts will be calculated on the total net monthly toll amount assigned to a single on-board unit. Thresholds will vary depending on the motorway operator:
- ASF: €0–213 – no discount; €213–314 – 5%; over €314 – 13%
- Cofiroute: €0–152 – no discount; €152–283 – 5%; over €283 – 13%
- Escota: €0–111 – no discount; €111–232 – 5%; over €232 – 13%
Each concessionaire sets its own entry thresholds, meaning that identical spending may result in different discounts depending on the motorway network used.
End of discounts in the ARCOUR network
It should also be noted that the ARCOUR operator has abolished its discount scheme entirely. From 10 January 2025, carriers using ARCOUR motorways will no longer be eligible for any reductions.
What this means for carriers
For transport companies, the new rules could have tangible financial implications. At higher levels of toll expenditure, a 13% discount could translate into savings of several hundred euros per vehicle each month. However, operators will need to carefully assess which networks they use most frequently to make the best use of the scheme.
Industry observers note that in the current environment – marked by rising fuel costs, wages, and administrative burdens – even a modest motorway discount can help improve profitability. Conversely, the removal of discounts on ARCOUR routes will inevitably make those journeys more costly.
Other developments in transport
Meanwhile, the logistics and vehicle sectors are also seeing major shifts. CMA CGM has agreed to acquire UK rail freight operator Freightliner, aiming to strengthen intermodal services and encourage a shift from road to rail. At the same time, Northern Ireland manufacturer Wrightbus has unveiled its first repowered truck, claiming the conversion could cost around half as much as a new battery-electric vehicle.
