These changes include increased toll rates, new tolled sections, increased penalties, updates to toll systems to incorporate CO2 emissions, and extensions of exemptions for zero-emission vehicles. These new regulation will have a direct impact on transport operators and road haulage companies.
In particular, in Belgium updated toll rates for trucks will apply in Flanders and Brussels: the indexation will affect all vehicles over 3.5 tonnes subject to the Viapass system; the toll rates depend on the permissible gross vehicle weight (3.5–12 t, 12–32 t, and over 32 t) and the vehicle’s emission class – from Euro 0 to Euro 6; zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) will continue to benefit from a 0 cents/km rate, provided they are equipped with an active OBU device.
Denmark has also introduced important changes to the motorway toll for heavy goods vehicles. Starting July 1, the fine for non-payment has doubled from 4,500 to 9,000 Danish kroner (about €1,200); trucks with open slopes can be physically stopped before crossing the Storebælt Bridge; the system uses automatic number plate recognition, and any violations are reported to the police; it is possible to postponed the payment of fines until the conclusion of appeal.
Meanwhile, the Lithuanian government has announced the expansion of the toll road and the total length of tolled routes will reach 2,851 km. The new sections, including routes such as Kaunas–Alytus, Šiauliai–Pasvalys, and Biržai–Panevėžys, apply only to commercial transport of goods; private vehicles will remain exempt. The main objective of this reorganization is to improve road quality.
Furthermore, the toll system in Slovakia has been aligned with carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions: all vehicles will be assigned to one of five CO₂ emission classes, from CO₂ Class 1 (highest rate) to CO₂ Class 5 (zero-emission vehicles); vehicles registered before 1 July 2019 will automatically be placed in CO₂ Class 1; newer vehicles may apply for a more favourable classification by submitting relevant documents via the website www.emyto.sk. There are no penalties for failing to update the emission class, however, applying may result in lower tolls.
Remain update by checking the new tariffs in each country crossed, adapting OBU devices, keeping track of the environmental classifications of the vehicles, reviewing the planning of the routes to contain the economic impact allows the companies in the transport sector to avoid fines, operational slowdowns and unnecessary costs.
