The European Parliament has decided with an over whelming majority on new rules for European truck tolls.  For the first time it will be possible to charge trucks for air pollution and noise – a long-standing demand of some EU-countries such as Austria.

In the future, polluting trucks will be more expensive than modern vehicles. Austrian delegation leader, Joerg Leichtfried, from the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ), expects as hift in the right direction. It is the first timet hat external costs, such as noise, emissions and congestion costs will be included in the calculation of charges. Leichtfried claims, however, that levels agreed on where not good enough and could not really bring change.

Eva Lichtenberger, from the Green Party in Austria, estimates that the road toll will increase by about 16 percent in Austria – which in her opinion is not enough. She said she had agreed with a heavy heart and that the infrastructure costs directive was another example for how strong the truck lobby is.

Hubert Pirker, Member of the European Parliament and the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), said he wouldn’t accept criticism from industry and business leaders who argue that the new truck tolls were a big burden for the economy and consumers. Pirker replies that the new tolls represent a strong incentive for companies to avoid traffic jams and invest in new trucks. This way they could reduce costs. EU Member states can decide themselves to which extend to apply the new rules.

Source: oe1.orf.at, 07.06.2011

http://oe1.orf.at/artikel/278760