VVD, CDA and ChristenUnie are talking about road pricing for truck traffic, according to various media. Not everyone is enthusiastic about it.
Paying more per kilometre as a truck the moment you pollute the environment more: this is the plan being negotiated by part of the new cabinet at the formation table. Several sources confirm to NOS that an ambitious climate plan is on the table, 'in which every sector is involved'.
This kilometre charge based on environmental pollution is being initiated by VVD, CDA and Christenunie. The industry associations react in different ways so far. TLN does not like the idea of only trucks being taxed. They stress that a sustainability plan to which all road users contribute would work better.
Technology
EVOFendex is not positive either. More expensive transport does not lead to less transport according to the shippers' organisation. Interestingly, Transport Minister Schultz, who belongs to the VVD, does not see anything in the plan. She believes more in new technology to reduce emissions, something she says works much better than an administrative plan.
Royal Dutch Transport, on the other hand, is positive about the idea. Belgium and Germany already have a similar system. TLN cites precisely those neighbouring countries to illustrate why they think the plan will not work. 'Examples in Belgium and Germany show that a kilometre charge that only applies to freight traffic has no effect whatsoever on traffic jams,' writes the industry association.
Incidentally, that charge under discussion could have different faces. The road tax could be increased, but so could the cost of the Eurovignette. The plan is not entirely out of the blue: D66 and ChristenUnie have it in their election manifesto. Earlier, PvdA and VVD talked about a similar measure in 2012, but it was called off then.
