CO2 differentiated truck tolls – what the EU should do

The objective of this scoping study is to assess the desirability and feasibility of CO2-differentiation in HDV road charging schemes, as well as on the options to actually design such a differentiation.

More specifically, this study has the following objectives:

• to discuss whether CO2-differentiated road charges effectively contribute to CO2 reduction of HGVs;
• to explore whether such schemes should be harmonised at the EU-level;
• to identify the main issues that may hamper the implementation of such schemes and discuss potential options to address these issues;
• to identify key design issues and discuss options to operationalise them.

In this study we focus on distance-based charging schemes (such as the German Maut). Time-based charging schemes (e.g. vignettes) are not considered, although they are covered by the current Eurovignette Directive.