The new “Cashback with plate” service has been active since April 29, and is valid on the network managed by Autostrade per l’Italia and developed by the start-up of the Aspi Free To X Group.
The move comes after the 5 million euros fine Autostrade per l’Italia received in 2021 because the company has neither adjusted nor reduced the toll in the stretches with long queues and long travel times, caused by extraordinary maintenance work.
To make use of the refund, hauliers need to register their vehicles on the Free to X app, and then they automatically receive the reimbursements accrued due to roadworks-related delays.
For those who use the Telepass or other electronic toll systems, the Cashback service is already active automatically once the companies have registered in the Free to X app.
To get their cash back, hauliers/drivers have to download the Free To X App and register for the Cashback service, providing the code of their electronic toll device (OBU or PAN), after which they have to confirm their identity by uploading a document.
For journeys completed after registering the electronic toll device and for which a refund is entitled, the haulier will receive an automatic notification. In addition, the user will also be notified in the event that one or more transits occurring in the 4 months prior to the registration of the electronic toll device are refundable.
Hauliers can confirm the refunds offered in the App, although they do not have to do so in order to receive the refund. The user receives all refunds to which they are entitled at the end of the earning period.
What delays are covered by the scheme?
The cashback scheme only covers delays caused by roadworks carried out by the motorway operator.
Toll reimbursement is not envisaged in the event of delays unrelated to the operator’s activities, such as heavy traffic, accidents or difficulties caused by weather events.
How is the refund calculated?
The cameras installed in the Aspi entry and exit toll booths track the transits made by the registered vehicle, and the refunds the travellers are entitled to will automatically be provided without any further requests.
The cashback calculates the delay by comparing the data relating to the presence of construction sites with those of Google Maps regarding the queues and those relating to the times of entry and exit from the motorway for motorists.
How much of the toll is refunded?
The amount of the refund depends on the length of the delay and the journey.
| 0 – 29km | 30 – 49km | 50 – 99km | 100 – 149km | 150 – 249km | 250 – 349km | 350 – 499km | more than 500km | |
| 10 – 14 min | 75% * | 50% * | 25% * | – | – | – | – | – |
| 15 – 29 min | 100% | 75% | 50% | 25% | 20% | 15% | 10% | 5% |
| 30 – 44 min | 100% | 100% | 75% | 50% | 25% | 20% | 15% | 10% |
| 45 – 59 min | 100% | 100% | 100% | 75% | 50% | 25% | 20% | 15% |
| 60 – 89 min | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 75% | 50% | 25% | 20% |
| 90 – 119 min | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 75% | 50% | 25% |
| more than 120 min | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 75% | 50% |
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Source: Free to X website
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The measurement of the delay is based on the average travel times, i.e. 100 km for cars and 70 km for heavy vehicles. The refund can be obtained for the entire toll of the route, not only the section affected by the works.