Increase in the truck toll - Expresslogistik Reinwald

The toll for trucks in Germany was raised on December 1, 2023. In this blog article, we would like to take a closer look at how this came about, how we as a courier service are currently dealing with it and how the future of the industry should be assessed.

A look back: The emergence of the CO2 component

In the wake of climate change, reducing emissions is a top global priority. The German government is actively working towards this goal, a current example of which is the recent adjustment of the truck toll. This increase is based on an EU directive that aims to promote the use of environmentally friendly trucks and actively reduce emissions in order to accelerate the switch to climate-friendly drive systems. The revenue from this toll increase is to be used specifically for transport investments and will also flow in part into the railways.

Current challenges and opportunities in transportation

Since the new regulation came into force, the transport industry has been faced with a higher financial burden. The CO2 component brings an additional surcharge of 200 euros per tonne of CO2 on top of the existing truck toll, with the exact CO2 surcharge being determined by the emission classes of the vehicles.
However, the new toll regulation currently only affects vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 7.5 tons or more. However, vans are often used for courier trips, which have not yet been subject to tolls. For this reason, there have not yet been any drastic price increases for direct journeys with vans.
This currently results in a peculiar situation: delivery with two vans is cheaper than using a 7.5-ton truck. This not only brings financial benefits for customers, but also greater flexibility. So if it is possible to split a delivery between two vans, this solution can be an option for efficient and economical transportation.

The future of the transportation industry: prospects and challenges

A look into the future of the truck toll in Germany shows that the financial burden on the transport industry could continue to rise. From July 2024, the toll will be extended to trucks over 3.5 tons, which will lead to more vehicles and journeys subject to tolls. Emission-free, electric trucks are still exempt from the toll until the end of 2025, but only a few electric trucks and limited charging points are currently available.
Overall, the industry continues to face economic challenges in terms of environmental protection. The need is to find innovative solutions to counter rising costs, while the government aims for a more sustainable transportation landscape. The road ahead will be challenging and is likely to shape Germany's entire transportation world.