EUROVIGNIQUE DIRECTIVE REFORM: NEW ECO-TARIFFS, FINES AND SUBSIDIES FOR EU FREIGHT TRANSPORT

The European Clean Freight Transport Alliance (ECTA) has published the results of a study on the economic efficiency of zero-emission trucks under the updated EU Eurovignette Directive.
The European Freight Forwarding, Logistics and Customs Association (CLECAT), of which our community is a partner, is actively using this data to protect the interests of the transport sector. The EU Council and the European Parliament have agreed on a major update of the Eurovignette Directive. This fundamentally changes the rules of the game for Ukrainian companies engaged in freight transport to Europe.
???? Financial results of the study and new tariffs in the EU
The introduction of CO₂-based road tolls directly affects the total cost of ownership (TCO) of transport:
• €11,000 - €23,000 - average annual savings on tolls for an electric 5-axle truck with a trailer.
• €37,000 - €53,000 - annual savings in countries that will introduce a full exemption from tolls for environmentally friendly transport.
• Increased tariffs in Germany (LKW-Maut): After the introduction of the additional CO₂ charge (€200 per tonne of emissions), tariffs for standard Euro 6 diesel trucks have almost doubled. The grace period for free travel for electric trucks in Germany is valid until December 31, 2025, after which they will pay significantly lower tariffs compared to diesel cars.
• Reform in Austria (GO-Maut): An official financial discount of 75% has been adopted for environmentally friendly transport over 3.5 tons, which will be valid until 2030. At the same time, the fee for diesel trucks is constantly increasing due to the mandatory inclusion of external costs for noise, air pollution and CO₂ emissions.
• Launch in the Netherlands: from July 2026, the country will completely abandon hourly vignettes for heavy vehicles and switch to a distance payment model (kilometer) with a rigid tariff link to the environmental class.
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???? EU state grants and subsidies for the purchase of electric trucks
To compensate for the high cost of zero-emission vehicles, EU countries have launched targeted financing programs available to companies registering vehicles in these jurisdictions (important when opening branches in the EU):
• Czech Republic: The subsidy program accepts applications from February 2 to November 30, 2026. It covers the purchase of new trucks in categories N2 and N3 and also provides funds for the installation of one charging station for every two vehicles purchased.
• Netherlands: The AanZET program provides direct purchase subsidies for zero-emission trucks. In addition, there is a program