The German Bundestag has amended federal highway toll law to exempt trucks powered by natural gas from tolls from 1 January, 2019 for a period of two years. The change is intended help to reduce the country’s growing CO2 emissions from the transport sector and provide a stimulus for the natural gas vehicle sector.

Prof. Dr. Ing. Gerald Linke, CEO of the German Technical and Scientific Association for Gas and Water said, “The way is finally clear for the long overdue traffic turnaround in heavy-duty mobility. By eliminating the toll, climate-friendly gas trucks can save up to 18.7 euro cents per kilometre driven, depending on the weight category. The chances for a market breakthrough are thus better than ever before.”

From 2021, the exemption will still be applied for the pollution component of the toll, but not for the infrastructure and noise components. This exemption, together with the subsidies on the purchase of natural gas vehicles announced in July (€12,000 for Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) and €8,000 for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles), further increases the financial benefits of these sustainable trucks for German logistics operators, with savings ranging from 9.3 to 18.7 euro cents per kilometre depending on the weight category.