According to the recently published draft amendment to the so-called Eurovignette Directive, the current exemption from tolls for battery-electric, fuel cell, and hydrogen-powered trucks – which is valid until the end of 2025 – would be extended by another six and a half years, up to 30 June 2031. The proposal will now be reviewed under the ordinary legislative procedure by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU.
“We need to create the right conditions to support European companies and reward those at the forefront of the transition to a low-carbon economy,” stressed Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for Transport and Tourism.
He said the measure is intended to provide a clear economic incentive for integrating zero-emission vehicles into transport fleets.
Industrial strategy and CO₂ targets
Back in March, the European Commission signalled in its action plan for the automotive sector that it planned to extend the temporary toll exemption beyond 2025. The move comes in response to the challenges currently facing the industry: although zero-emission trucks are now available in all segments – including long-haul transport – their market share in the EU in 2023 was still just around 0.1%.
Meanwhile, vehicle manufacturers are under pressure to cut the average CO₂ emissions of new heavy-duty vehicles by 43% by 2030, compared with 2019 levels. They must demonstrate compliance with this target by 30 June 2031 – exactly when the proposed toll exemption would expire.
TCO: a key factor in investment decisions
For logistics operators, the key factor in investment decisions is not the purchase price but the total cost of ownership (TCO). According to Commission data, a zero-emission truck currently costs around 2.5 times more than a conventional diesel model. However, thanks to the elimination of infrastructure charges and lower operating costs, the overall expenses can already be comparable, depending on the use case.
The previous deadline – the end of 2025 – proved too short to drive meaningful investment. Beyond that date, current rules only allow for toll discounts of up to 75%. The proposed extension is intended to reinforce market incentives and provide businesses with greater planning certainty.
Implications for the transport sector
- Cost advantage: In some cases, hauliers could save up to €45,000 (PLN 190,000) in the first year of operating a 40-tonne zero-emission truck, thanks to toll exemptions.
- Planning security: The six-year extension provides a stable framework for investment decisions – both for logistics companies and vehicle manufacturers.
- Systemic incentive: Combined with a CO₂-based road pricing system and EU funding programmes for charging and refuelling infrastructure, this forms a comprehensive package to promote zero-emission transport.
An “important signal” for the sector
The European Freight Forwarders and Logistics Association (CLECAT) has welcomed the Commission’s proposal, describing it as an “important signal” that offers the investment certainty needed to accelerate the transition to cleaner technologies.
CLECAT highlights high upfront costs, underdeveloped infrastructure, and limited financing options as key reasons for the slow uptake of zero-emission trucks in road freight so far. The proposed extension of the toll exemption is therefore seen as a crucial incentive to speed up the transformation of the sector.
