On Thursday, the Bundestag approved an increase in truck tolls from the beginning of 2023.
This brings more revenue to the state.
Transport Minister Volker Wissing said that the majority of goods traffic takes place on the road.
A new EU directive makes it possible to take greater account of the costs of noise and air pollution when calculating toll rates.
“This federal government has decided to make use of it.
And that's only fair.” The result of the toll adjustment is moderately increasing rates.
Specifically, it is about an amendment to the Federal Highway Toll Act, which still has to pass the Bundesrat.
The truck toll was introduced on the federal motorways in 2005 and has since been extended to all federal roads.
The annual average of toll revenue in the years 2023 to 2027 is expected to be around 8.3 billion euros.
Last year they were around 7.6 billion euros.
Two weeks ago, the traffic light coalition agreed on a roadmap for toll reform, paving the way for adjustment.
With a major toll reform on January 1, 2024, there should be an extension to vehicles from 3.5 tons and a CO2 differentiation.
So far, the toll applies from 7.5 tons.
The FDP had accused the Greens of a blockade.
From the point of view of the Greens, the money from the truck toll should not only go to the construction of new roads.
As part of the reform, as agreed in the coalition agreement, the additional income is to be used for mobility across all modes of transport.
Criticism of the toll rate adjustment came from the opposition.
The CSU MP Martina Englhardt-Head spoke of a wrong sign.
In an application, the Union faction spoke out against an additional burden on the transport and logistics industry through an increase in truck tolls in view of the increased energy prices.