WRITTEN QUESTION E-2046/03 by Anne Jensen (ELDR) to the Commission. German road tax.
Date: 2003-06-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU law - national law, Germany, commercial vehicle, competition law, toll

C 58 E/126

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.3.2004

The Commission has therefore already followed up on the Council’s request, mentioned in Declaration 34
annexed to Austria’s Adhesion Act, and presented legislation in the relevant areas. Moreover the
Commission has presented in December 2001 a proposal for a prolongation of the ecopoints system (4)
which is now the subject of the conciliation procedure. Finally the Commission has the intention to
present shortly a new sectoral proposal for a Directive on charging for the use of road infrastructure
modifying the Eurovignette-Directive.

(1) COM(98) 444 final.
(2) OJ C 59, 26.2.1997.
(3) Directive 1999/62 EC of the Parliament and the Council of 17 June 1999 on the charging of heavy good vehicles
for the use of certain infrastructures, OJ L 187, 20.7.1999 replacing Council Directive 93/89/EEC of 25 October
1993, OJ L 279, 12.11.1993.

(4) OJ C 103 E, 30.4.2002.

(2004/C 58 E/142)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2046/03

by Anne Jensen (ELDR) to the Commission

(19 June 2003)

Subject: German road tax

The German Government has taken a decision to introduce a road tax (HGV toll). The introduction of a
unilateral German road tax will place hauliers from a number of European countries in a considerably
worse position than their European colleagues. Transit through Germany, for example, is essential for
haulage from Denmark and Sweden to the rest of Europe. With the introduction of a unilateral German
road tax, therefore, Danish and Swedish hauliers will be competitively worse off.

Does the Commission consider that this unilateral German road tax is consistent with EU competition
rules? Will the Commission seek a common European solution rather than accept unilateral national
taxation?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(18 July 2003)

Germany has notified to the Commission its intention to introduce a new road toll system for heavy goods
vehicles on German motorways. The Commission has written to the German authorities in order to assess
the compatibility of the system with Community law, and in particular with Directive 1999/62/EC (1) as
regards both the level of tolls and the other relevant aspects of the system. The issue is currently under
examination.

In any case the Commission will make sure that Community law is duly respected in the application of all
issues related to the new road toll system in Germany.

(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 187, 20.7.1999.

(2004/C 58 E/143)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2057/03

by Bartho Pronk (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(20 June 2003)

Subject: One and two eurocent coins

A scientific article which was recently published in the Netherlands (1) used Cramer’s algorithm to
demonstrate that a set of euro coins which did not include one and two cent coins was much more
efficient for cash payment transactions than the current set of euro coins. According to the article, an
efficient system for cash payment transactions is in the interests of consumers, shops, banks, industry and
the Central Banks.