GERMAN AND AUSTRIAN TOLL RATES
Changes to calculation rules due to new CO2 classes
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVISION OF TOLL RATES CALCULATION IN GERMANY AND AUSTRIA
Germany has announced changes to its toll rates calculation, effective from December 1st, 2023. Austria will follow on 1 January 2024.
In accordance with European Union Directive 2022/362, they will incorporate a CO2 emissions-based tax into its toll rates calculation.
With this change, the cost of the German toll is expected to increase, with a potential evolution up to 80%.
UE DIRECTIVE 2022/362
- The directive was adopted by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union in February 2022.
- It aims, among other things, to reduce gas emissions from road transport.
- To promote a cleaner fleet of heavy-duty vehicles, the directive plans to vary toll charges based on the vehicle’s CO2 emissions.
- Member states are required to comply with this directive by March 25th, 2024.
WHAT’S CHANGING?
The calculation of the toll rate will incorporate two major changes:
- Technically Permissible Maximum Laden Mass (TPMLM) for vehicles or F1
- The weight of the vehicle considered for the calculation will now be the TPMLM or F1 weight.
- This information is mandatory and should be mentioned on the vehicle registration certificate. If not provided by November 30th, the German and Austrian networks will be automatically deactivated for the respective OBUs.
- CO2 Emission Class
- In addition to the existing rate components, there will be a tax based on the vehicle’s CO2 emission class.
- To determine the vehicle’s CO2 emission class, factors such as CO2 emissions in g/t-km and the vehicle’s subgroup will be considered. This information is specified in the Certificate of Conformity (COC) issued by the manufacturer.
- If the CO2 emission class cannot be determined, the vehicle will be default classified into CO2 emission class 1. Only vehicles registered for the first time on July 1st, 2019, or later (and meeting Euro 6 or EEV standards) can be assigned to a more favorable CO2 emission class.
Where to find the new information needed
CO2 EMISSION CLASSES
- The classification of carbon dioxide emissions has been established in various EU directives.
- Each vehicle is assigned to a group or subgroup of vehicles based on its chassis configuration, Technically Permissible Maximum Laden Mass, axle configuration, engine power, and cab type.
- CO2 emission limits are set for each subgroup of vehicles and decrease each year.
- The classification is based on the difference between the vehicle’s actual CO2 emissions and the limit of its subgroup.
- By default, all vehicles will be assigned to CO2 emission class 1.
- Vehicles registered for the first time on July 1st, 2019, or later (and meeting Euro 6 or EEV standards) can be assigned to a more favorable CO2 emission class.
Source: Telepass
To check the emission class of your vehicle, the motorway operators have provided simulators:
THE NEW TOLL PRICING POLICY
- Starting from December 1st, German toll prices will include additional costs based on the CO2 emission class, in accordance with the tariff schedule approved by the German Parliament. These fees will be added to the existing toll rates (in €/km).
- Austrian toll prices will change as of 1 January 2024. To view the new tariffs, click here.
Source: Bundesrat 270/23 Gesetzentwurf
WHAT IMPACT ON TOLL COSTS ?
For the German toll, you can see the simulation for an 8-tonne vehicle, 5 axles, Euro 6
For the Austrian toll, for the same type of vehicle, the bill provides for an increase of about 20% over three years, of which 7.4% in 2024.