Government outlines its position on amendments to Eurovignette Directive – Proposal has no immediate impacts on Finland
On 29 June 2023, the Government submitted to Parliament a Union communication on the Commission's proposal for a directive concerning the carbon dioxide emission classes of heavy-duty vehicles with trailers. The proposal aims to accelerate the reduction of emissions from heavy-duty vehicles and the achievement of the Union's climate policy objectives.
The proposed directive would introduce complementary rules to the Eurovignette Directive in order to reduce CO2 emission-based road charges levied on vehicle combinations with the most efficient trailers. Provisions would also be laid down on data indicated on vehicle registration certificates and in electronic toll service systems regarding the efficiency of trailers and vehicle combinations.
Finland does not currently have road toll legislation that would need amending due to the proposal. In the short term, the proposal would not incentivise the use of more efficient vehicle combinations in Finnish domestic transport.
The Government supports the general objective of the Commission's proposal to reduce CO2 emissions from heavy goods transport. The Government considers it important that the compatibility of the proposal with other EU emissions legislation and with the certification of the effects of trailers on emissions be carefully assessed during the negotiations.
Next steps
On 29 June 2022, the Government submitted a Union communication on the matter to Parliament. The communication will be considered by the Grand Committee, together with statements submitted by the relevant special committees.
At EU level, the timetable for processing the proposal has not yet been confirmed.
If Finland were to introduce a road charge for heavy goods transport, the Commission's proposal would be relevant to differentiating road charges based on CO2 emissions. An economic incentive could also increase the use of efficient trailers on Finnish roads. However, the impacts can only be assessed when any possible charges are planned.
Inquiries:
Juha Tervonen, Chief Specialist, tel. +358 295 342 070, [email protected]
