European Parliament supports reduction in road charges for heavy-duty vehicles equipped with energy-efficient trailers

On Tuesday 5 May, members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Transport (TRAN) adopted their position on the revision of the European directive governing the classification of CO₂ emission from heavy-duty vehicles towing trailers.

The aim of the text is to take better account of the effect of trailers on the overall energy consumption of heavy-duty vehicles. Although they do not emit CO₂ directly, trailers do influence the fuel consumption of the vehicles towing them. MEPs therefore believe that heavy goods vehicles using energy-efficient trailers should benefit from reduced charges.

Exclusion of certain vehicles rejected. An initial compromise amendment, tabled by the S&D and Greens/EFA groups, aimed to exclude certain vehicles from the scope of the text. The two groups argued that the European Commission’s proposal could lead to certain passenger cars with trailers being included in the category of light commercial vehicles.

According to this amendment, which was tabled by the text’s rapporteur, Matteo Ricci (S&D, Italian), “passenger cars over 3.5 tonnes would be subject to toll levels and road use charges that are not intended for passenger vehicles, which would contradict the objectives of Directive 1999/62/EC [on the charging of heavy goods vehicles, editor’s note]”. However, this provision was rejected during the vote in the TRAN Committee.

Temporary toll reductions for certain vehicles. In view of the slower-than-expected roll-out of zero-emission heavy commercial vehicles, the Committee on Transport is proposing to introduce a temporary incentive for low-emission vehicles, in particular those equipped with range extenders.

MEPs want to authorise Member States that already apply toll exemptions to zero-emission vehicles to also grant a toll reduction of up to 75% to these vehicles, until 30 June 2031.

They also propose that Member States should be able to apply proportionate reductions in tolls and user charges to vehicles equipped with low-emission refrigeration units.

Alignment with future CO₂ standards. MEPs are also calling for greater consistency between European road charging rules and the new CO₂ emission standards for lorries and buses, due to come into force in early July. In their view, road pricing should reflect these regulatory changes.

With this position, which the European Parliament will be asked to approve at its plenary session starting on 18 May, MEPs are ready to negotiate with the EU Council.

To consult the compromise amendments: https://aeur.eu/f/lta (Original version in French by Juliette Verdes)