The Bundestag has decided on far-reaching reforms in the transport sector. Among other things, there is a CO2 surcharge on the truck toll. In addition, the possibility should be created for more bus lanes and 30 km/h zones in cities.
The truck toll on federal roads and motorways is to be expanded and will also bring in more money for investments in rail in the future. The Bundestag passed a law from Transport Minister Volker Wissing that will introduce an additional CO2 surcharge on the user fee on December 1st.
From July 1, 2024, the toll obligation will also apply to smaller vans weighing more than 3.5 tons. So far it works from 7.5 tons. However, trips from craft businesses should remain exempt from this.
Additional revenue in the billions
From 2024 to 2027, additional revenue of 30.5 billion euros is expected. The use of funds should also be reorganized. Half of the toll revenue should continue to be earmarked for improvements to federal highways – the rest predominantly in “measures in the area of federal railways”.
The truck toll has been collected on motorways since 2005 and was then gradually expanded to all federal highways. The income for the federal government this year is expected to be almost eight billion euros.
Car toll processed
The law also continues the implementation of the failed car toll by repealing the law introducing the car toll from 2015, which was never applied. Continuation of the law would contradict the principle that only legal norms that apply are in force, according to the justification. The car toll – a prestige project of the CSU in the then federal government – was stopped as illegal by the European Court of Justice in 2019.
More flexibility for states and municipalities
An amendment to the Road Traffic Act gives states and municipalities more flexibility in traffic planning. In the future, you can give local public transport or vehicles with alternative drives priority through special lanes, expand cycle paths, set up play streets or set a speed limit of 30 km/h in the area around schools and daycare centers.
Planning should be accelerated
The so-called Planning Acceleration Act is aimed at rail projects and the renewal of particularly busy motorway sections. The renovation of bridges should also be pushed forward; under certain conditions, environmental impact assessments will not be necessary. There should also be simplifications for the construction of wind and solar systems on motorways and federal highways.