The Federal Council has approved the toll regulation. In future, the lorry toll will be used more as an environmental policy steering instrument. The organisation of the toll categories will help to increase the use of low-emission commercial vehicles and thus reduce CO2 emissions and particulate matter pollution. The regulation comprises three main points: Toll spread: toll charges for lorries with high pollutant emissions may be up to twice as high. Vehicles that fulfil the strictest emission standards pay the lowest tolls. The regulation applies to all HGVs over 12 tonnes.
The greater differentiation creates incentives for the use of low-emission commercial vehicles. Reduction of particulate matter: lorries with a particulate reduction system also fare better. Vehicles with a filter are placed in the next most favourable toll category. Those who retrofit are at an economic advantage. Increase in toll rates: The actual costs of maintaining the road network will be included in the new toll rates on the basis of the 2007 road cost report. The toll rates currently in force are based on the calculation of the 2002 road cost report. As can also be seen from the DVZ, transport companies see the danger that they will still have to bring money with them when using Euro 3 vehicles. As a result, 12 to 15 per cent of drivers could no longer be employed. This figure corresponds to the 40,000 jobs that the BGL had warned would be jeopardised.
The entrepreneurs blame the politicians. They want to force the industry to purchase Euro 5 vehicles as soon as possible by means of the motorway toll. However, there is a lack of funding because the resale value has fallen dramatically.
(Source: http://www.bundesregierung.de/Content/DE/Artikel/2008/11/2008-11-07-mauthoeheverordnung.html)
