In order to stimulate and support the competitiveness of sustainable road transport, the European Commission is proposing to exempt zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles from road tolls and user charges.

As pledged in its Industrial Action Plan for the European automotive sector, the Commission is proposing to extend the current exemption period from 31 December 2025 to 30 June 2031, providing a significant incentive for companies to invest in zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles.

No more tolls for zero-emission buses?

The EU Commission is aware that “the upfront cost of these vehicles is currently higher than their conventional counterparts, making them less attractive to buyers and remaining one of the main barriers to their wider deployment. By waiving tolls and user charges, the EU aims to strengthen the business case for investing in zero-emission trucks and buses“.

Highlights

The bus industry’s smartphone moment

On 18 March 1895, at 6:25 in the morning, the world’s first motor bus line opened between Siegen, Netphen and Deuz. The vehicle was a Benz Landauer. It had eight seats, a one-cylinder engine of five horsepower, and fifteen kilometres of bad road ahead of it. On the steepest hill, the passengers had ...

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