MEPs in plenary session on Thursday 17 February adopted the text on the revision of the ‘Eurovignette’ directive, which should notably allow the abolition of time-based road fees and the transition to a distance-based system (see EUROPE 12869/21).
“The abolition of the vignette for heavy vehicles will make it possible to standardise a system that is currently excessively fragmented”, said rapporteur Giuseppe Ferrandino (S&D, Italy).
As a reminder, in addition to the end - with certain possible exceptions - of the vignette system for heavy vehicles on the central trans-European transport network (TEN-T) within 8 years of the entry into force of the text, the revision of the ‘Eurovignette’ directive provides for the introduction of an external cost charge for air pollution for heavy vehicles. Here, the transposition period will be 4 years.
The text also provides that a congestion charge may be imposed by Member States. Mark-ups could be applied by Member States and should be respected by all countries concerned as long as they include a cross-border concept.
From 2026, Member States will have to set different road charge rates for trucks and buses, indexed to CO2 emissions. Rates for vans and minibuses will be based on environmental performance. This process should encourage Member States to reduce fees for low and zero emission vehicles and thus promote the use of cleaner vehicles.
Greens/EFA opposition
Although adopted, support for the text was not unanimous in the Parliament. The Greens/EFA, who oppose the compromise, believe that the objectives have not been achieved.
“The text endorsed today by the European Parliament is disappointing and falls short of our expectations”, said Karima Delli (Greens/EFA, France).
The French MEP regrets in particular that vans are no longer affected by the switch from time-based vignettes to distance-based toll systems, although this was part of the Parliament’s initial position.
“The reform misses the great opportunity of an EU-wide road toll that is socially fair and environmentally friendly. We urgently need coherent policy measures to tackle the climate crisis”, added Anna Deparnay-Grunenberg (Greens/EFA, Germany).
As for the EPP, Austrian MEP Barbara Thaler fears that the adoption of the ‘Eurovignette’ directive will create “a ‘Wild West’ situation on the roads” because of the leeway given to Member States to set charges.
“The text currently on the table is only half-baked and would lead to a complete fragmentation of the internal road market, giving Member States the possibility to change their system as they please after each election”, she said. (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)