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The German car toll was a disaster. But Transport Minister Scheuer wanted to save them through the back door, with a toll solution for all of Europe. But these plans now “are not being carried out.”
Federal Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer does not want to continue his car toll plans across Europe. The corresponding considerations “will not be investigated further,” his ministry said in response to a parliamentary question from the FDP.
In the course of the German Presidency of the Council of the EU, Scheuer had suggested that vehicle tolls be compulsory throughout Europe. An extension of the Eurovignette Directive should make this possible. Until now, this has regulated road user fees for heavy commercial vehicles, but not for passenger cars. Scheuer’s plan had met with resistance from both the federal government and other EU countries.
“With the failure in the EU Council of Ministers, his new toll plans are probably off the table for the time being, as is his contribution to the presidency of the German Council,” said FDP transport politician Oliver Luksic on Scheuer’s withdrawal. Whose proposal has proven to be a “great coup”.
More climate protection with truck tolls
The guideline, which actually envisaged primarily new regulations for truck tolls, was last suspended due to widespread opposition. To the chagrin of industry and associations, it was not a topic at the informal council of EU transport ministers on Thursday. The European trucking and freight industry had clearly criticized him. Among other things, Scania and Volvo had complained to the EU transport ministers. They expect new sales opportunities when the directive is approved.
Climate protection has long been anticipated to become more important at truck tolls through reform. For the first time this should also be geared towards CO2 emissions and the bottom line will increase significantly. After Scheuer’s decision not to expand to include cars, negotiations could start moving again.
Scheuer before the commission of inquiry
Scheuer had been under pressure recently in another context as well: Last week, he had to testify before the parliamentary inquiry committee on car tolls in Germany.
There he was asked about the hastily concluded contracts with the toll operators, which have already cost the German state almost 80 million euros. In addition, there is a threat of damages worth 560 million euros, which the operating consortium is demanding from the federal government after the ECJ annulled the German toll model last year.
