The costs to society, the economy and the environment of freight transport by road, as defined by current legislation, are reportedly covered by the income they generate.
This is what emerges from research commissioned by the global road transport organisation, IRU, from consultants CE Delft. The consultants provide two elements of consideration. If one considers the external costs for motorways and parallel roads identified in the current Eurovignette directive, which include air and noise pollution, then the taxes and rights applicable to vans and lorries would cover around 130% of the costs. On the other hand, taking account of all external costs of road freight, including traffic jams, income would cover around 89% of the external costs and infrastructure.
Contacted by this newsletter, Carlos Calvo Ambel of TransportEnvironment told us he was sceptical, saying that the research was 'partial' because it only covers major routes, where transporters cause the least damage and pay the highest charges, whereas they have a much bigger impact on secondary and urban roads.
The research was commissioned in order to provide arguments to the European Commission, which will be unveiling a revised Eurovignette directive on 30 May (see EUROPE 11746). (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)