As we approach 2025, HGV carriers throughout Europe are experiencing the transformations of road toll regimes driven by the amended EU directive on the Eurovignette. This directive focuses on CO2 emissions and aims to harmonise the toll regulations among member countries. While only a few EU nations—such as Germany, Austria, Denmark, and the Czech Republic—have implemented the CO2-based updates, others, like Poland, are still catching up.
Switzerland, Denmark, and Bulgaria each have distinct toll systems undergoing critical updates:
Switzerland: Operates a distance-based system.
Denmark: Transitioning from a time-based vignette to a distance-based toll system in 2025, with a CO2-based charge already in effect as of 1 January 2025.
Bulgaria: Modifying its system to align with the Eurovignette directive by linking toll rates to CO2 emissions.
Businesses must understand the current changes to avoid time loss, avoid fines, and optimise transport costs. This principle forms the basis for managing a proactive planning process, toll management system solutions, and compliance with prevailing rules and regulations in operations.
This blog will identify the main changes in these countries and give practical recommendations for compliance and work. That said, for brevity’s sake, the focus is only on these three countries, although carriers should be aware updates are happening across Europe, from Austria to Belgium to the Netherlands. Adapting to these changes is critical for efficient operations and cost management.
From January 1, 2025, Switzerland will increase its road toll rates by 5%, impacting all categories of vehicles using its toll system. This increase applies to both heavy vehicle charges (HVC) and lump-sum HVC, ensuring alignment with the country’s environmental and infrastructure goals. Key routes like the A2 motorway (Gotthard Motorway), a vital north-south axis connecting Basel to Chiasso, are included in this update. This route is critical for businesses as it facilitates the seamless movement of goods across Switzerland and neighbouring countries, supporting major logistics and trade operations.
This change applies to heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and passenger vehicles subject to the country’s toll system. The new rates aim to support infrastructure improvements and align with environmental goals.
Effective 1 January 2025, Denmark will withdraw from the Eurovignette system and transition to a distance-based toll model. This toll will initially apply to driving on the main part of the state road network and parts of the municipal road network, covering approximately 10,900 km. However, the Danish government plans to expand the toll system further by January 1, 2028, to encompass the entire Danish public road network, spanning about 75,000 km. These updates reflect Denmark's commitment to sustainable transportation and alignment with broader European CO2 emission-based tolling initiatives.
Toll rates vary based on vehicle weight and CO2 emission class. Key highlights include significantly reduced rates for vehicles with higher CO2 efficiency and additional charges for eco-zones, which aim to incentivise sustainable transport.
Rates for weight classes with GVW from 12,000 to 17,999 kg
Rates for weight classes with GVW from 18,000 to 32,000 kg
Rates for weight classes with GVW above 32,000 kg
*The rates in low-emission zones are an additional charge, meaning that it is paid in addition to the rate outside the environmental zones (e.g. the charge for a CO2 emission class 1 vehicle with a permissible technical weight of 12,000 to 17,999 kg is 0.86 kr + 0.43 kr, or 1.29 kr in total).
Bulgaria is aligning its toll system with the Eurovignette directive, laying the groundwork for future CO2-based toll charges. While specific updates to routes and fee structures are pending, carriers should expect significant modifications to comply with EU regulations.
Managing toll compliance across multiple countries can be challenging, but with the right tools, businesses can navigate these updates efficiently:
Eurowag’s Toll Solutions: Simplify toll payments with features like CO2-based toll calculators and route optimisation tools.
EETS Platforms: Consolidate toll payments across Europe with a single system like EETS to reduce administrative burden.
Proactive Monitoring: Stay updated on country-specific changes and adjust your strategies accordingly.
To keep up with tolls, businesses must adapt to toll updates in Switzerland, Denmark and Bulgaria to avoid operational and cost disruption. In doing so, they can adjust their budgets by taking a closer look at route-specific toll rates or using advanced toll management tools like those utilised by Eurowag to help simplify compliance and optimise operational results. This is a wider trend across Europe, with Austria, Belgium and Poland also introducing changes this year.
Eurowag offers tailored solutions that simplify compliance and optimise operations. CO2 emission-based calculators, EETS-compatible platforms, and real-time route management make staying abreast of regulatory changes easier than ever. By using these tools, businesses can better proactively manage costs, avoid penalties, and concentrate on their main business.
