Transport prices are already going up due to the lack of drivers and increasing demand. The introduction of a toll in Germany on all federal roads will contribute to even bigger price increases.
Extension of tolls to all federal roads in Germany is to take place on July 1 this year. Currently, fees are charged on approximately 15 thousand kilometers of highways and federal roads. In the second half of the year, this number will increase to 55 thousand kilometers of roads where tolls will be collected.
German transport associations warn that transport costs will increase significantly. Associations AMÖ (Federal Freight Forwarding and Logistics Association), BGL (Federal Association of Road Transport and Logistics), DSVL (German Shipping and Logistics Association), BWVL (Federal Association of Economy, Transport and Logistics) and BIEK (Federal Union of Courier Industry) in common declarations estimate that the costs of the transport and logistics industry will increase in relation to the planned changes by approximately 2 billion euro per year.
Currently, the share of toll in transport costs is up to 10 percent. As union representatives emphasize, the price for the toll extension will ultimately be paid by the consumer, as carriers will increase freight rates to compensate for higher costs.
The shortage of drivers causes price increases
The demand for transport services continues to grow due to the good condition of the European economy and the dynamic development of the e-commerce industry. Unfortunately, the transport sector across the Union suffers from a lack of drivers. Already last year, an increase in freight rates was observed, including in Germany and France. It is expected that the lack of staff due to demographic changes will impact the transport sector in Germany even more so prices will continue to grow.
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