Germany's Approach to Enhancing Climate Protection in Freight Transport With CO2 Emission-Based Truck Toll

Germany is set to reinforce climate protection in the freight transport industry with a new truck toll that is directly linked to CO2 emissions. As of December 1, 2023, the CO2 emission class of a truck will be a new tariff property, with a CO2 surcharge being applied, changing the toll rates for trucks.?

The implementation of this CO2 toll is poised to send a powerful price signal to land transport, incentivising the adoption of alternative drive systems and expediting the transition to climate-neutral propulsion methods. Let’s learn more about the German Federal Road Toll Act and its potential to reshape the environmental sustainability of the freight transport industry.?

With this new addition, the German truck toll will now consist of four components:

• Infrastructure Costs: The expenses related to road maintenance and development
• Air Pollution Costs: The environmental impact of pollutants emitted by trucks
• Noise Pollution Costs: The noise pollution generated by vehicles
• Transport-related CO2 Emissions Costs: The newest addition to the toll structure, which directly targets carbon emissions

CO2 Toll as an Industry Catalyst

At present, one-third of the overall CO2 emissions within the transportation sector stem from commercial vehicles. Therefore, this toll aims to alleviate the environmental impact of these vehicles by incentivising the road freight transport industry to embrace alternative drive systems and thus accelerating the transition to climate-neutral propulsion methods in the freight industry.?

Changes to the German Federal Road Toll Act?

Several changes will be implemented in the Federal Road Toll Act, including the CO2 toll surcharge.?

Introduction of a CO2 Surcharge: Effective December 1, 2023, a new toll component will be introduced, consisting of a CO2 surcharge of 200 euros per ton of CO2. Trucks will be classed into five emissions classes for CO2 differentiation in tolls and the CO2 emission classification will depend on the Vecto baseline and registration year of the truck.?

Earmarking of Toll Revenues: Toll revenues will now be dedicated to improving federal road infrastructure and mobility measures, with a focus on federal rail routes.?

Extended Toll Obligation: From July 1, 2024, the toll obligation will extend to trucks with a Technically Permissible Maximum Laden Mass of more than 3.5 metric tons. However, craftsman vehicles under 7.5 metric tons tzGm will remain exempt from toll obligations.

Zero-emission Vehicles Incentive: Until December 31, 2025, zero-emission vehicles will be entirely exempt from toll obligations. From January 1, 2026, they will enjoy a reduced toll rate of 75% for infrastructure costs, in addition to the proportional toll rates for air pollution and noise pollution.

CO2 Differentiation in Toll Classification

The innovative toll system classifies vehicles into five emission classes based on CO2 differentiation. The lower the CO2 emissions, the higher and hence, the better the emission class. Vehicles can determine their CO2 emission class here.?

Class 1: This is the worst class with the highest costs for CO2 emissions. TollCollect automatically assigns all registered vehicles with internal combustion engines to this class. All TollCollect customers should check this in the TollCollect portal and, if necessary, apply for a better emission class. Vehicles manufactured before July 2019 also cannot be classified better than Class 1.

Class 2 and 3: These classes are determined based on specific CO2 emissions when entering vehicle data in the TollCollect portal. For accurate classification, vehicle documents must be uploaded to the portal.?

Class 4: This class is reserved for low-emission vehicles, such as those powered by natural gas.

Class 5: This class is exclusive to emission-free vehicles, including electric battery or hydrogen-powered vehicles, which are toll-exempt until December 31, 2025.

Revenues and Infrastructure Investment

As a result of this CO2 differentiation for lorries, the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure foresees an additional revenue of an estimated 26.6 billion euros from 2024 to 2027. The extension of the toll to trucks over 3.5 metric tons is projected to contribute an additional 3.9 billion euros during the same period, with 1.8 billion euros attributing to CO2 differentiation. This revenue will go into further supporting investments in road and rail infrastructure.

Germany's decision to link the truck toll to CO2 emissions is a commendable step toward a more sustainable and environmentally conscious freight transport industry. The inclusion of a CO2 surcharge in Germany’s Federal Road Toll Act demonstrates a commitment to combating climate change by encouraging a reduction of carbon emissions and nudging trucking companies towards alternative drive systems.?

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