A week ago, the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMVI) published an expert opinion on the costs of road infrastructure. It also includes the proposed toll rates, which should apply in Germany from the beginning of next year.
Although the relevant legislative process has not yet moved, it is possible that the rates proposed by the ministry will change. Unfortunately, as reported by the German media, the probability that the government will introduce different rates than those recommended in the expert opinion is small.
Also, the local industry organizations do not expect significant changes in relation to what has been presented in the document. The BGL, after a thorough analysis of the expertise, expressed concern about the significant increase in transport costs from 2019.
The German toll is the sum of three rates
According to the BMVI expertise, the toll is to consist of three components –
– toll component for infrastructure,
– toll component for environmental pollution,
– toll component for noise pollution.
For example, 18-ton trucks with 4 axles and more will be subject to a fee of 18.7 cents per kilometer (for Euro 6 class) or 19.8 cents per kilometer (for Euro 5 class). Currently, the rates are 11.7 and 13.5 cents, respectively.
Below is a rate overview published by the German transport portal verkehrsrundschau.de.
Rates for infrastructure:
| Vehicle categories | Toll rates in cents per km |
| GVW from 7.5 t to 12 t | 8,0 |
| GVW from od 12 do 18 t | 11,5 |
| Truck with less than 4 axles and GVW from 18 t | 16,0 |
| Truck with 4 axles or more and GVW from 18 t | 17,4 |
Toll rates for external pollution costs:
| Vehicle categories | Toll rates in cents per km |
| Euro 0, Euro 1 | 8,5 |
| Euro 2 | 7,4 |
| Euro 3 | 6,4 |
| Euro 4 | 3,2 |
| Euro 5 | 2,2 |
| Euro 6 | 1,1 |
Noise charge for all vehicles – 0.2 cents per kilometer.
Photo: Pixabay/hpgruesen/public domain