WRITTEN QUESTION E-2684/02

by Freddy Blak (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(26 September 2002)

Subject: Charges on European roads

Germany has recently reached an agreement on introducing a motorway tax as from 31 July 2003. Austria has also decided to introduce a similar charge as from 1 January 2003. At the same time many other EU Member States are considering similar initiatives.

While this obviously presents opportunities for promoting a modal shift, e.g. towards the railways, the above-mentioned decisions will hit some Member States' haulage firms harder than others.

Can the Commission, therefore, explain how these schemes are compatible with the rules of the internal market, and how they can be justified in view of their competition-distorting nature?

In addition, what initiatives are being considered with a view to the introduction of a uniform European system of road charges, fuel taxes and eco-points?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(11 November 2002)

At present, according to Directive 1999/62/EC(1), Member States can introduce or maintain tolls and user charges on heavy goods vehicles (above 12 tonnes) for the use of certain infrastructures provided that such charges are in conformity with the provisions of this Directive.

As indicated in the White Paper on the European Transport Policy(2), while the transport sector may be heavily taxed, it is above all badly and unequally taxed. For these reasons, the Commission underlined the need to develop a more effective policy in order to better inform transport users of the real costs and also to improve the balance among transport modes.

To achieve this objective, the Commission plans to present a methodology paper setting the principles and the structure of charging for the use of infrastructure in all modes of transport. On the basis of this paper and reactions received in the consultation process, more detailed common rules may be put forward.

The Commission has recently adopted a proposal(3) setting out the criteria for establishing a separate tax category for diesel fuel used for commercial purposes (commercial diesel fuel). The main aim is to uncouple the taxation on fuel used for commercial purposes from that on fuels used for private purposes, and by 2010 to achieve an upward harmonisation of taxes on commercial diesel fuel, which would reduce distortion of competition among operators.

With regard to ecopoints, following to the conclusions of the Laeken European Council, on 20 December 2001 the Commission has adopted a proposal for a Regulation(4) extending the ecopoint system as a temporary solution for the year 2004. This extension is in line with the policy on environmental protection in vulnerable areas such as the Alpine region and is only a transitional measure while waiting for the adoption of relevant measures mentioned above.

In any case the Commission will make sure that freedom to provide transport services within the single market will be guaranteed, while avoiding any competition distortions that may arise from unilateral decisions taken in this field.

(1) Directive 1999/62/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 1999 on the charging of heavy goods vehicles for the use of certain infrastructures, OJ L 87, 20.7.1999.

(2) White Paper on the European Transport Policy for 2010: time to decide, COM(2001) 370 final.

(3) Proposal for a Council Directive, COM(2002) 410 final, amending Directive 92/81/EEC and Directive 92/82/EEC to introduce special tax arrangements for diesel fuel used for commercial purposes and align the excise duties on petrol and diesel fuel.

(4) Proposal for a regulation of the Parliament and of the Council establishing an ecopoint system applicable to heavy goods vehicles travelling through Austria for the year 2004, OJ C 103 E, 30.4.2002.