Current toll developments 
in Europe

Introduction of CO2 emission classes and toll extension to vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tonnes in Germany
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The toll will be extended and CO2 emission classes will be introduced: In 2024, an additional CO2 surcharge will apply and vehicles over 3.5 tonnes will be subject to tolls in Germany

In autumn 2023, a law was passed by the German Bundestag implementing a requirement from the EU infrastructure costs directive. This means:

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Beginning December 01, 2023, the HGV toll in Germany will be supplemented by a CO₂ surcharge of 200 euros per tonne of CO₂. Depending on the CO₂ emission class of the vehicle, additional costs may apply. The same change takes effect in Austria on January 01, 2024.
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On July 01, 2024, according to the  Draft of the Federal Government, the toll will be extended to vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tonnes.​​​​​​​ Thusfar, the toll has only applied to vehicles over 7.5 tonnes.​​​​​​​ Craft businesses should be exempt.
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Emissions-free HGVs are exempt from tolls until the end of 2025, after which 25% of the toll rate will collected for infrastructure costs.
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Toll exemption: Among others, tradesmen’s vehicles, camping vehicles as well as vehicles used by fire and rescue, technical relief, disaster control, agriculture and forestry organisations are exempt from tolls. The same applies to vehicles used exclusively for passenger transport. EToll Collect | Registration Toll Exemption (toll-collect.de)

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Toll fees: The toll amount depends on various factors, such as: For example, according to the technically permissible maximum laden mass (TPMLM), the number of axles, the pollutant class and the CO2 emissions class of the vehicle. In principle, new toll tariffs will apply to  vehicles weighing over 3.5 tonnes beginning 01/07/2024.
Toll Collect | Toll tariffs from 1 July 2024 (toll-collect.de)

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CO2 emissions classes: Since December 2023, five new CO2 emissions classes have come into force as new tariff features. They serve to differentiate between vehicles with different CO2 emissions and form the basis of the proportional toll rate for CO₂ emissions. Determine the CO2 emission class for your vehicle with the Toll Collect CO2 emission class calculator. 

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Toll calculation: You can calculate your toll online using the Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (BALM) toll calculator. You can access the calculator at www.balm.bund.de

Why are tolls being adjusted in Germany?

The HGV, or commercial vehicle toll, is a distance-based road user charge. It was introduced in 2005 on federal motorways and extended in 2012 to sections of federal roads. According to the German Federal Trunk Road Toll Act (§ 1), domestic and foreign motor vehicles or vehicle combinations weighing over 7.5 tonnes are subject to tolls. Tolls are incurred when entering a federal trunk road and apply to federal roads and motorways and connected fuel stations and rest areas.
The reason for the toll change is EU requirements within the Eurovignette Directive and the ‘Wegekostengutachten’ of the Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs and Transport. According to the directive, HGV tolls should be based on the cost of traffic infrastructure, including construction, operation, maintenance and expansion.

What factors contribute to the price of the toll?

Since 01/12/2023, tolls have been calculated based on distance travelled and a toll rate in cents per kilometre. The toll rate results form the costs of traffic-related CO₂ emissions as well as air pollution, noise pollution and infrastructure costs.
The proportional toll rate for infrastructure and noise pollution depends on the weight class and number of axles for vehicles weighing over 18 tonnes.  On 1 December 2023, the basis for assigning weight class changed. Previously, permissible gross vehicle weight (GVW) was the deciding factor. This was replaced by technically permissible maximum laden mass (TPMLM). 
As a result, vehicles may fall into a higher weight class or become subject to tolls, e.g., HGVs with a maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW, field F.2). 
The proportional toll rate for air pollution is based on a vehicle’s emissions class. 

The CO₂ emissions classes introduced on 1 December 2023 are based on the CO₂ emissions of a vehicle. Vehicles are classified into one of five CO₂ emissions classes. Specifying a vehicle’s CO₂ emissions class is the responsibility of the toll customer. All registered toll customers are initially classified by Toll Collect as CO₂ emissions class 1. A cheaper class can be requested in the Toll Collect portal for vehicles registered on or after 1 July 2019.

How much are tolls in Germany currently and how much will they be from 1 July 2024?

Current toll tariffs (as of 01/12/2023) can be found on the Toll Collect website.

Toll Collect | Toll tariffs from 1 July 2024 (toll-collect.de)

How are tolls collected in Germany?

In Germany, tolls are typically collected electronically via a toll box, also known as an on-board unit (OBU). The OBU submits toll information to the toll collection point. In Germany, Toll Collect calculates and invoices the tolls. 
With UTA Edenred, you have an experienced partner by your side who relieves you of the burden of Europe-wide toll processing, from the provision of information and registration with toll operators to the installation of OBUs and settlement of tolls. 
With our UTA One® next OBU, you can manage tolls quickly and efficiently. You’ll gain transparency into fees and can see the routes taken by your drivers.

Who is affected by the toll extension in Germany?

From July 2024, domestic and foreign commercial vehicles weighing over 3.5 tonnes in Germany will also be subject to tolls. The HGV toll will then affect commercial freight transporters that use motorways and toll roads. Vehicle combinations are only subject to tolls if the technically permissible maximum laden mass (F.1) of the towing vehicle is over 3.5 tonnes. There is an exemption for tradesmen and similar businesses.

Toll Collect | Registration Toll Exemption (toll-collect.de)

Will a vehicle with a TPMLM of more than 3.5 tonnes be subject to tolls from 1 July 2024 if I use a trailer?

Vehicle combinations are only subject to tolls if the towing vehicle (motor vehicle) has a technically permissible maximum laden mass (F.1) of more than 3.5 tonnes.

Toll Collect | Registration Toll Exemption (toll-collect.de)

Which vehicles are exempt from tolls?

The 2024 toll extension also affects companies operating vehicles weighing over 3.5 tonnes. Under certain conditions, some vehicles may be exempt from tolls.

Electric vehicles have significantly lower CO2 emissions than conventional combustion engined-vehicles. They are therefore exempt from tolls even after the recent law changes.
In accordance with § 2 No. 1 of the Electromobility Act, this includes purely electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. This also applies to electric HGVs over 7.5 tonnes. They are also exempt from tolls.

Zero-emission vehicles, such as electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are toll exempt until 31 December 2025. Accordingly, these vehicles are subject to a proportional toll rate reduced by 75 percent for infrastructure costs as well as proportional toll rates for extreme air pollution and noise pollution costs. Zero-emission vehicles with a TPMLM of up to 4.25 tonnes are permanently exempt from tolls.

Are camping vehicles subject to tolls?

According to the Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (BALM), motorhomes weighing over 3.5 tonnes are generally exempt from tolls if they have permanent “living facilities”, such as living space, toilet, shower, beds and cooking facilities. However, such campers may only be used for passenger transport. The same applies to box body HGVs that have been converted to motorhomes. Since camping vehicles are usually recognisable from the outside, they remain toll exempt without any administration required.

What regulations apply to natural gas-powered vehicles?

Natural gas-powered vehicles have been subject to tolls since 01/01/2024 or, in the case of vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, will be subject to tolls from 01/07/2024. 

Is there an exemption for tradesmen’s vehicles?

In accordance with the EU Directive, individual member states can maintain exemptions for tradesmen. This also applies to Germany.
Meaning: Tradesmen’s vehicles weighing between 3.5 to 7.5 tonnes remain exempt from tolls.

However, there is no exception for vehicles over 7.5 tonnes: their toll has been significantly increased from 2024 just like other vehicles.

The law does not provide a general toll exemption for tradesmen; rather a travel-related toll exemption. Travels that do not meet the requirements are subject to tolls. 
A list of professions that meet the requirements for the tradesmen exemption can be found on the Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility website. 

The tradesmen exemption also applies to foreign trade businesses. 
During toll checks, proof must be provided that the trip meets the requirements of the tradesmen exemption. Examples of proof include a trade/business card, (a copy of) the business registration, delivery notes or customer orders. Proof must be presented in German or as a German translation. 

However, there is no exception for vehicles over 7.5 tonnes: their toll has been significantly increased from 2024 just like other vehicles.

More information on the tradesmen exemption can be found on the Toll Collect website.

Can I register my non-toll vehicle?

Companies and owners of non-toll vehicles can register them voluntarily with Toll Collect. Registration prevents unnecessary controls, diversions and hearings. This saves time and effort. Registration is valid for two years, then can be extended. Registrations that have not been renewed by the expiry date will automatically expire.

Which UTA Edenred toll solution is right for my vehicle?

UTA Edenred offers a toll solution for every type of vehicle, allowing you to travel efficiently in Germany and/or seamlessly across European borders. 
If you travel primarily in Germany, we offer a reliable billing service for toll collection via the Toll Collect OBU. 
If you regularly travel to other European countries, then UTA One® next is the right OBU solution for you! It covers 18 toll contexts in 16 countries. Tolls are electronically recorded via a single device. You can keep track of all your transactions in your customer account.
For all scenarios, you benefit from clear, itemised billing; convenient processing via UTA Edenred; and a mobility partner that’s by your side when and where you need it.

How high is the additional CO2 surcharge?

The following tables are excerpted from "Draft of a third law amending toll regulations" and have yet to be adopted.​​​​​​​ 

Surcharges from December 1, 2023 in €:

 

Carbon dioxide emission class 7,5 up to < 12 t 12 up to 18 t > 18 t with up to 3 axes​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ > 18 t with 4 axes > 18 t and 5 and more axes
1 EURO I and worse 0,080 0,104 0,158 0,158 0,162
EURO II
EURO II
0,080 0,104 0,138 0,138 0,162
EURO IV
EURO V
EEV class 1
0,080 0,100 0,134 0,134 0,160
EURO VI 0,080 0,100 0,124 0,134 0,158
2 0,076 0,096 0,118 0,128 0,150
3 0,072 0,090 0,111 0,120 0,142
4 0,040 0,050 0,063 0,068 0,079
5 0 0 0 0 0


Surcharges from July 01, 2024:​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Carbon dioxide emission class > 3.5 t up to < 7.5 t 7,5 up to < 12 t 12 up to 18 t > 18 t with up to 3 axes​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ > 18 t with 4 axes > 18 t and 5 and more axes
1 EURO I and worse 0,080 0,080 0,104 0,158 0,158 0,162
EURO II
EURO II
0,080 0,080 0,104 0,138 0,138 0,162
EURO IV
EURO V
EEV class 1
0,080 0,080 0,100 0,134 0,134 0,160
EURO VI 0,074 0,080 0,100 0,124 0,134 0,158
2 0,070 0,076 0,096 0,118 0,128 0,150
3 0,067 0,072 0,090 0,111 0,120 0,142
4 0,037 0,040 0,050 0,063 0,068 0,079
5 0 0 0 0 0 0
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Protection against penalties caused by installation errors via the fixed installation of the device
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Real-time monitoring provides continuous transparency to fleet managers
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Convenient control of the OBU via smartphone app
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Compatibility with the latest mobile radio standards
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And much more…

From July 2024, commercial vehicles with a gross weight of more than 3.5 tonnes will be subject to tolls in Germany if they are intended for or used for commercial road haulage.​​​​​​ The HGV toll will then affect commercial vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tonnes that use motorways and toll roads.

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