Matteo Ricci proposes to simplify revision of Directives on tolls for heavy-duty vehicles with trailers

In his draft report published on Thursday 26 February, MEP Matteo Ricci (S&D, Italian) proposed postponing the secondary elements of the proposal revising the Directives on road charges for heavy-duty vehicles with trailers, according to the CO₂ emission class of these trailers.

Presented in May 2023 by the European Commission (see EUROPE 13176/5), the aim of this revision was to take account of the effect of trailers on the CO₂ emissions of heavy goods vehicles in road pricing systems, which differentiate tolls according to vehicle emissions. In October 2025, the Commission amended its proposal by adding the necessary elements of simplification, alignment and legal clarification relating specifically to the CO₂ elements of the Eurovignette, as well as the effects of trailers and semi-trailers.

The co-legislators have adopted an exemption for ‘zero-emission’ heavy goods vehicles from road tolls until 2031 (see EUROPE 13739/30).

In the explanatory memorandum, the rapporteur states that he fully endorses the new elements of 2025, but refers to the main practical concerns: real-time identification of the trailer used in a combination of vehicles and the effective application of the applicable rules. These issues cannot be resolved by additional legislation alone; on the contrary, they require prior assessment, validation and demonstration of reliable and interoperable technical solutions, he said.

In order to maintain the emissions reduction trajectory that defines the thresholds for CO₂ emission classes 2 and 3, he considered it essential to focus on the fundamental elements that guarantee legal certainty, technical feasibility and regulatory consistency. This is why he suggests focusing only on the new elements from 2025 onwards and postponing the secondary elements of the proposal.

He also proposed the creation of a specialised technical task force, coordinated by the Commission and made up of national experts, to help define practical implementation measures and common technical specifications.

Thus, no later than two years after the date of entry into force of the revised Directive, the Commission would carry out an assessment of its application, in particular the possible introduction and operation of a toll differentiated according to CO₂ emissions for vehicle combinations, taking into account the CO₂ emissions performance of trailers.

Read the draft report: https://aeur.eu/f/kza (Original version in French by Anne Damiani)