Extension of the derogation for heavy-duty vehicles with zero emissions

The European Parliament adopted by 458 votes to 182, with 11 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 1999/62/EC as regards the extension of the period in which zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles can benefit from significantly reduced rates of infrastructure or user charges or from exemptions to pay them.

Parliament adopted its position at first reading, taking over the Commission's proposal.

The proposal to amend Directive 1999/62/EC aims to postpone until 30 June 2031 the date until which Member States have the possibility of applying a significant reduction or exemption from infrastructure charges or user charges for zero-emission vehicles.

Given the optional nature of the amended provision, Member States will not be obliged to transpose this measure but will have to inform the Commission if they decide to make use of it after 2025.

Directive 1999/62/EC currently gives Member States the possibility to apply reduced rates, without any ceiling, to infrastructure charges or user charges, or to apply total exemptions from such charges, only until 31 December 2025. Member States were required to transpose this provision, introduced by Directive (EU) 2022/362, into national law by 25 March 2024 at the latest. However, this period is too short to encourage demand for new zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles. Therefore, this deadline should be extended to create the conditions for the wider deployment of zero-emission vehicles.

This proposal will ensure a clear and coherent legal framework and help EU automotive companies achieve their CO2 reduction targets, the timing of the measures on the demand and supply side of the market of heavy-duty vehicles should be aligned.