Pricing & Taxation

Publications: Background Briefing on the European Commission proposal on the Greening Transport Package

T&E background briefing on the Commission Proposal to revise the Eurovignette Directive. Updated August 2008.

July 29, 2008 | Air Pollution | Lorries & Road Freight | Noise | Pricing & Taxation

News: Manchester proposes congestion charge

Manchester has become the latest city to propose a congestion charge. The city says congestion is costing businesses money and depriving the city of skilled workers. Five other major European cities (Bergen, Oslo, London, Stockholm and Milan) have congestion charges.

News: Biofuels tax

Switzerland this month removed its taxation on biofuels such as ethanol to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the country's transport.

July 22, 2008 | Fuels | Pricing & Taxation | T&E Bulletin

News: Cars CO₂ deal 'unacceptable'

Italy has reacted angrily to last month's French-German deal on car emissions worked out by Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy.

July 22, 2008 | Cars | Climate Change & Energy | T&E Bulletin | Pricing & Taxation

News: EC still hesitant on ending 'externalities' ban

The Commission has proposed an end to the ban on member states charging lorry operators for the 'external' costs of road use, but it has put such a limit on the charges that may be imposed that T&E has described it as 'two steps forward but one step back'.

July 22, 2008 | Lorries & Road Freight | Pricing & Taxation | T&E Bulletin

News: T&E Reaction to the adoption of the 'Greener Transport Package' by the European Commission

The European Commission adopted today a package entitled "Towards Greener Transport" which included a long-awaited strategy to allow transport to pay for the costs that they cause to environment and society. The package includes a legislative Proposal to revise the Eurovignette Directive that aims to remove a legal obstacle which prohibits trucks being charged for the costs that they cause in terms of congestion and pollution.

News: Oil price 'good'

The rising price of oil is good news, according to the head of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Speaking at the OECD's annual meeting, Angel Gurria said it would be 'disastrous' if the world’s richest nations cut fuel taxes or subsidised prices, as rising prices are a clear signal to consumers and companies to cut their fuel consumption.

June 16, 2008 | Climate Change & Energy | Fuels | Pricing & Taxation | T&E Bulletin

News: Road charging plans due in July

Reports of the draft Commission proposals on smart road charging, which are expected to be published in early July, say legislation will allow for pollution and congestion costs to be internalised, but this will not be obligatory for member states.

May 14, 2008 | Lorries & Road Freight | Pricing & Taxation | T&E Bulletin

News: Bonus and penalty

Austria is offering a bonus of €300 for cars with CO2 emissions of no more than 120 g/km, but cars with over 180g will pay €25 per gram over the 180 mark from July, and the same over 160g from January 2010.

April 16, 2008 | Cars | Fuels | Pricing & Taxation | T&E Bulletin