Extension of the Eurovignette Directive

Key points

The EESC:

• welcomes the European Commission’s proposal for a Directive to extend the exemption period during which zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles (ZEVs) benefit from significantly reduced or exempted infrastructure or user charges as a timely and necessary measure to support the decarbonisation of road transport and supports the proposed extension until 30 June 2031, as it provides legal and investment certainty, aligns with the CO2 performance standards and offers a concrete demand-side incentive for operators to shift towards cleaner technologies;

• reiterates its earlier positions advocating a fair, inclusive and balanced approach to the green transition in commercial road transport, the need to ensure small and medium-sized transport operators are not left behind, and the urgent need to accelerate the deployment of charging and refuelling infrastructure along the TEN-T core and comprehensive networks;

• recommends to earmark revenues derived from CO2-related tolls to support infrastructure rollout and financial support schemes for operators investing in zero- and low-emission vehicles and urges co-legislators to link road pricing policies and CO2 performance standards granting synergy with the EU Emissions Trading System 2 (ETS 2) and other climate instruments.