Europe, known for its efficient road infrastructure and extensive network of highways, has seen some significant changes implemented in the form of new toll fees for trucks in 2023. These changes aim to address various concerns, including environmental issues, infrastructure maintenance costs, and fair competition among transport operators. In this article, we’ll delve into the details of the new toll fees for trucks in Europe, highlighting the key changes and what to expect in the future based on current trends.
The road infrastructure in Europe requires substantial investment in construction, maintenance, and repairs. Toll fees are one way to generate revenue to cover these costs and ensure that roads are well-maintained and safe for use. These tolls, or charges levied on trucks for the use of certain roads or highways, are typically based on factors such as distance travelled, vehicle weight, and emissions. Toll fees can also be used to address environmental concerns by incentivizing the use of greener vehicles or alternative modes of transportation.
The history of toll fees in Europe spans several decades, with varying trends and patterns in different countries and regions. Toll rates are typically influenced by a range of factors, including road infrastructure costs, maintenance expenses, environmental impacts, and economic considerations. Over the years, toll prices have undergone changes in response to these factors and the evolving needs of the road transport industry.
One notable aspect of toll prices in Europe is the frequency of toll rate increases. Toll rates are not static and can be subject to adjustments over time. The frequency of toll rate increases varies depending on the country and region, with some countries implementing changes annually while others do so periodically based on economic or infrastructure needs.
For instance, some countries may adjust toll rates based on inflation, rising maintenance costs, or investments in road infrastructure improvements. These adjustments are typically made to ensure that toll prices keep up with the changing economic landscape and the costs associated with road maintenance and development.
Toll fees for trucks in Europe are generally classified according to several criteria, such as the vehicle's weight, number of axles, distance travelled, and emission class. The pricing structure can vary from country to country, and even within the same country, there can be variations depending on the road network.
In Germany, for instance, tolls are applied to trucks weighing more than 7.5 tonnes. To further determine the toll amount, trucks are then categorised based on number of axles, emission class, and total weight. The number of kilometers to be tolled is recorded using an OBU from TollCollect, and the fee per kilometer ranges from 0.081 euros to 0.218 euros.
In France, tolls are compulsory for trucks above 3.5 tones in weight. These trucks are required to use an onboard unit that complies with the French TIS PL system for seamless toll payment. The toll fees in France are categorised based on a truck's overall height, gross weight, and number of axles.
In Austria, every motorway and expressway is tolled. Driving on these roads requires you to purchase a GO box from GO Maut that records the number of kilometers covered, which are subject to toll. Other factors which affect toll rates include the number of axles on and emission class of a vehicle.
In Belgium, the road network is divided into three regions: Flanders, which includes the Brussels motorway, Brussels city center, and Wallonia. Each of these regions establishes its own road taxes and charges. The toll to be paid per kilometre within all areas is determined by the allowable total weight (starting at 3.5 tonnes) and the corresponding emission class. The total amount of the toll is therefore determined by the number of kilometres driven, which is recorded using a Viapass onboard unit. Tolls on the highway vary only slightly, ranging from 0.076 euros to 0.206 euros per kilometre, depending on the vehicle category.
Fees on toll roads in Italy are calculated based on the distance travelled and the number of axles on the truck. One of the ways to pay toll fees in Italy is by using The Telepass.
Toll prices in European countries are subject to changes over time due to various factors such as inflation, infrastructure improvements, and government policies. Let us look at the recent change in toll prices for some European countries.
If you’d like to stay updated on toll rates or other valuable news, be sure to check your client portal and e-mail.
Toll prices are likely to continue facing upward pressures due to increasing maintenance costs of existing infrastructure, growing demand for new infrastructure developments, and inflationary pressures on operational costs. Additionally, environmental concerns and emission reduction goals may also impact toll pricing, with potential incentives or penalties(as already experienced in France this year) based on vehicle emissions levels.
One notable change worth mentioning is the gradual phasing out of the current toll system operated by SkyToll in Slovakia, which is set to end by June 2023. With advancements in technology, tolling systems are becoming more sophisticated and may introduce dynamic pricing models based on factors such as congestion, time of day, and vehicle type. This may lead to more variable toll pricing based on real-time conditions, which could affect trucking companies’ budgeting and operational strategies.
Eurowag is a leading provider of toll and fleet management solutions in Europe. We offer different services to help our clients manage their toll payments efficiently and save money. We provide a single toll box that covers multiple countries, allowing our clients to avoid the hassle of multiple toll systems and invoices. This saves them time and can help reduce administrative costs. Our toll box works in more than 23 European countries and allows clients to pay toll fees online without stopping at toll booths.
Eurowag also offers VAT refund services for toll fees, which can help trucking companies save money on their taxes. We offer a fuel card that can be used to pay for tolls, as well as fuel and other expenses. Our fuel card offers our clients discounts on fuel prices and also allows them to manage their expenses easily.
We also offer a comprehensive fleet management system which allows clients to track their vehicles in real-time, monitor fuel consumption, and optimise routes to reduce costs. Our system also allows clients to receive alerts about toll prices and other expenses, ensuring that they never miss a payment or face penalties for late payments.
