In a bid to promote the transition of transported goods crossing Switzerland from road to rail, the Swiss Federal Council has announced an increase in the performance-related heavy vehicle tax (FTTCP) effective from January 1, 2025.
The FTTCP is a federal tax contingent on factors such as the overall weight of the vehicle, emission levels, and kilometers driven within Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein. This tax applies to all motor vehicles and trailers that:
- Have a total weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes
- Are utilized for the transportation of goods
- Are registered in Switzerland or abroad and utilize the Swiss public road network
According to a report by dvz.de, the Council’s proposal includes not only the increment of the performance-related heavy vehicle tax but also an augmentation in allocations for rail transport on routes shorter than 600 kilometers.
Additionally, motorway tolls, which have been on hold since 2012, are proposed to increase by 5%, encompassing electric vehicles.
In the context of short railway routes, the Council clarified that the increased contributions would be offset by reductions in contributions for longer distances. Other measures outlined involve the extension of the rolling highway until 2028 and a waiver on the anticipated increase in the price of railway electricity for goods, initially expected in 2024.