Large part of truck levy goes to subsidy for zero-emission vehicles

The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management reported that the largest part of the proceeds from the truck levy will go to a subsidy for the purchase of zero-emission trucks in the coming years. The truck levy is estimated to yield 1.6 billion euros from 2026 to 2030. Of this, 980 million euros will go to a purchase subsidy for trucks that do not emit greenhouse gases.

The truck levy means that trucks pay per kilometer they drive on the motorway and other roads. The price depends on the emissions and the truck's weight - the cleaner and lighter, the cheaper. On average, it would be around 17 cents per kilometer. Fixed costs companies must pay for trucks, such as motor vehicle tax and the Eurovignette, will be much lower.

The total revenue from the levy will be much greater than 1.6 billion euros in the coming years, but the government will offset a large part of it against revenue from motor vehicle tax, the Eurovignette, and excise duty, which will be eliminated. Another part will be used to repay the implementation costs.

In addition to the 980 million euros for the purchase subsidy, parts of the levy will go to charging stations and hydrogen. Overall, Minister Barry Madlener expects that the subsidies will provide 14,000 extra zero-emission trucks, on top of the 13,000 that would already be added. Up to and including 2030, 115 million euros will go to these so-called Electric Road Systems (ERS), Minister Barry Madlener (Infrastructure and Water Management) announced.

ERS work via overhead lines that trucks can connect to. According to a plan that Madlener sent to the Tweede Kamer, driving one kilometer should charge a truck's battery enough to drive another two kilometers.

In Germany and other countries, trials with overhead lines on highways are already underway, but the technology is still in its infancy anyway. "The ERS still raises the necessary questions about safety and feasibility," Madlener's plan states. Research into an electric highway between the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp and from Rotterdam to Venlo is already underway.

The money will come from the proceeds of the truck tax, a levy per kilometer that will largely replace other taxes. In total, this new tax will generate over 1.6 billion euros from 2026 to 2030, the Cabinet announced on Friday. The construction of 180 kilometers of electric freeway would cost around 600 million euros. The Cabinet also wants companies to participate.

The RAI Association, the organization for car importers and manufacturers, is pleased with the step the government is taking towards sustainability in the sector. "This is a much-needed development for the Dutch transport sector," says Frits van Bruggen, General Chairman of the RAI Association. According to him, the levy gives companies "the opportunity to invest in zero-emission trucks, charging stations, and the construction of hydrogen filling stations. The sector is under great pressure to become more sustainable, and without this financial support, the high investments are simply not feasible."