Skip to main content

Spotlight on possible changes to the European eco-tax

Following the suspension of the eco-tax on heavy vehicles in October 2013, a number of possible changes are being studied which could lead to its eventual implementation. The tax is expected to generate some US$1.63 billion per year, which would be used to finance the construction of railways and canals in order to reduce haulage activity on the road. Possible changes include re-naming the tax, increasing the current 3.5 tonnes minimum vehicle weight, increasing the number of regions which benefit from a
January 31, 2014 Read time: 1 min
Following the suspension of the eco-tax on heavy vehicles in October 2013, a number of possible changes are being studied which could lead to its eventual implementation. The tax is expected to generate some US$1.63 billion per year, which would be used to finance the construction of railways and canals in order to reduce haulage activity on the road.

Possible changes include re-naming the tax, increasing the current 3.5 tonnes minimum vehicle weight, increasing the number of regions which benefit from a reduction in the eco-tax, or limiting the tax to journeys of a particular length, with those under 50 kilometres or 100 kilometres excluded.

Related Content

  • IBTTA’s Jones sees turbulent times and a bright future for tolling
    November 10, 2017
    Colin Sowman talks to IBTTA’s Pat Jones about the future of tolling in a fast-changing world. Pat Jones may have been executive director and CEO of the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) for 15 years but in his words: “Never before have I seen so much change coming so fast in the transportation and tolling industry.” Amidst all this change, tolling companies are asked to provide funding for roadway building or improvements which will be repaid for over, say, a 30-year concess
  • ANPR cameras considered for Severn Bridge restrictions
    April 15, 2025
    Wales-England crossing was built in 1966 and carries M48 motorway
  • RAC survey shows big safety gains with average speed enforcement
    January 11, 2017
    Cheaper and easier communications are providing authorities with new options for influencing driver behaviour. Colin Sowman reports. It’s official; Average speed cameras (ASCs) cut the number of fatal or serious injury crashes by more than a third.
  • ‘Need for sustainable transportation infrastructure drives the ITS market’
    October 30, 2012
    According to a new report by Global Industry Analysts (GIA), the global Intelligent Transportation Systems market is projected to reach US$22.7 billion by the year 2018, driven primarily by the need to enhance road safety by efficiently managing traffic, enforcing speed limits and easing traffic congestion. Rising demand from developing nations to incorporate ITS solutions also bodes well for the future of the market. The report provides a comprehensive review of trends, product developments, mergers, acqu