Almost everything you buy has crossed Europe on a truck. The EU wants those trucks to go green, but the transition is moving more slowly than planned. To speed things up, the European Parliament’s transport committee has backed an up to 75 per cent toll reduction for low-emission heavy vehicles, effective until 2031.
The Transport and Tourism Committee voted 31 to 10 on Tuesday. It backed lower road charges for trucks and buses using efficient trailers. Trailers produce no direct emissions, but they reduce overall fuel consumption. Under the new rules, that efficiency would be rewarded at the toll booth. Rapporteur Mateo Ricci (S&D/ITA) led the push.
MEPs also want toll reductions to apply to trucks with electrified refrigeration units. These are battery-powered systems that keep cargo cool without burning diesel. The move comes ahead of new EU CO2 emission standards for trucks, which take effect on 1 July 2026.
The committee voted 35 to six to seek negotiations with EU member states. The full Parliament must give its approval at the mid-May plenary before talks can begin.
