The benefits of road tolls

Germany and Spain were chosen for this study as both countries have strong logistics sectors and similar transport intensities with regard to ratio between tonne-km transported and GDP generated. Germany and Spain each have distance-based tolling systems, but to a different extent. Germany has an electronic toll that is applied on an extensive road network. Spain has some motorways that have a physical barrier toll.

If implemented correctly, tolls can have a positive impact on improving the logistic efficiency of freight transport. They can also encourage the purchasing of cleaner vehicles. Furthermore, tolls can be a large source of revenue for the public budget of a country. The EU give liberty to member states with regard to how such revenue is spent.

The upcoming review of the Eurovignette Directive provides the EU with an opportunity to encourage smart tolling. T&E wants CO₂ differentiation to be promoted in road tolls and for time-based systems to be phased out. The caps that are defined in the annex to the Directive for air pollution should be increased to allow for countries to charge based on the real impact of such emissions. Lastly, the increase of van use as a means to avoid EU legislation should be prevented by extending the scope of the Directive to vans that are used for the professional transport of freight.