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News from Brussels
The European Parliament’s vote on the Eurovignette amendment is a clear step in the right direction. However, further work is needed on the new proposal to ensure a fair and effective path to decarbonisation.
The European Parliament has reaffirmed its position on the Eurovignette Directive, approving an amendment that extends toll exemptions for clean vehicles from 31 December 2025 to 30 June 2031. The vote confirms the Parliament’s earlier stance and comes just days after the European Commission unveiled its new proposal to revise the Eurovignette framework.
IRU welcomes this outcome as an important step in maintaining momentum towards the decarbonisation of road freight and passenger transport. However, the current system of voluntary exemptions, left to the discretion of Member States, will not be enough to drive widespread adoption of cleaner vehicles.
IRU EU Director Raluca Marian said, “By confirming this amendment, the European Parliament is sending a clear and consistent message: Europe must continue to incentivise the use of zero-emission vehicles. This vote gives operators greater legal certainty at a critical time. However, allowing Member States to decide individually whether to apply exemptions risks creating fragmentation and slowing down progress.”
“With the Commission’s new Eurovignette proposal now on the table, there is a clear opportunity to move beyond voluntary measures. We need a fair and coordinated framework that supports all viable paths to decarbonisation and delivers real incentives for cleaner transport across Europe,” she added.
As highlighted in an earlier statement, IRU has already set out detailed recommendations for a more effective tolling framework. These include broader recognition of CO₂-neutral fuels, earmarking CO₂-related revenues for decarbonisation, avoiding double taxation under ETS II, and simplifying administrative procedures.
While the Commission’s new proposal aligns tolling with updated CO₂ standards for trucks, trailers, and semi-trailers, important issues remain unresolved, notably the treatment of trailers under VECTO and the reinvestment of CO₂-related toll revenues.
“The Eurovignette Directive must be fair, forward-looking, and practical for the operators who keep Europe moving,” concluded Raluca Marian.