Frequently asked questions
What is the heavy goods vehicle charge?
With the introduction of the heavy goods vehicle charge, owners of heavy goods vehicles will pay per kilometre driven on motorways and on some provincial and municipal main roads. As a general rule, the lower the vehicle’s emissions, the lower the amount charged. Once the charge is introduced, motor vehicle tax will be significantly reduced and the Eurovignette will disappear. The aim of the heavy goods vehicle charge is to encourage the use of emission-free heavy goods vehicles. This will reduce CO2 emissions from freight transport in the Netherlands. The charge will also apply to foreign heavy goods vehicles. The net proceeds from the charge will be used for subsidies aimed at improving sustainability and innovation in road transport.
When will the heavy goods vehicle charge take effect?
The heavy goods vehicle charge will be introduced in the Netherlands in 2026.
Why is a heavy goods vehicle charge being introduced?
The heavy goods vehicle charge is being introduced in order to charge Dutch and international heavy goods vehicles for every kilometre driven on Dutch motorways and several provincial and municipal main roads. The heavy goods vehicle charge is also intended as a means of improving the sustainability of the transport sector and encouraging innovation.
Who will the heavy goods vehicle charge apply to?
The heavy goods vehicle charge will apply to all Dutch and foreign heavy goods vehicles that weigh more than 3.5 tonnes. The charge will also apply to a combination of vehicles intended for road freight transport that have a maximum permitted mass in excess of 3.5 tonnes.
It will not apply to emission-free vehicles up to a maximum weight of 4,250 kg. These are primarily commercial vehicles, such as vans, which are heavier as a result of electrification. Because of the additional weight of the alternative powertrain, the vehicle can weigh more than 3,500 kg.
What will the tariffs be?
The average tariff per kilometre will be approximately 16.7 eurocents according to 2023 price levels. The lower the vehicle’s emissions, the lower the charge per kilometre driven.
The tariffs are based on the permitted maximum mass, the CO2 emission class of the vehicle and the euro emission class (for vehicles in CO2 emission class 1). The Dutch government has drawn up draft legislation for the tariffs as outlined below. This draft bill is expected to be presented to the House of Representatives in late 2024. The tariffs will not be finalised until the draft bill becomes law.
| Maximum permitted mass (kg) | CO2 emission class 1: Euro emission class | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURO 0 | EURO 1 | EURO 2 | EURO 3 | EURO 4 | EURO 5 | EURO 6 | EURO 6+ | |
| more than 3,500 to 12,000 | 0.238 | 0.193 | 0.183 | 0.161 | 0.141 | 0.115 | 0.099 | 0.097 |
12,000 to 18,000 |
0.342 | 0.275 | 0.261 | 0.231 | 0.200 | 0.163 | 0.140 | 0.138 |
18,000 to 32,000 |
0.378 | 0.318 | 0.302 | 0.268 | 0.230 | 0.185 | 0.159 | 0.156 |
| more than 32,000 | 0.425 | 0.357 | 0.343 | 0.305 | 0.259 | 0.206 | 0.175 | 0.172 |
| Maximum permitted mass (kg) | CO2 emission class | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| more than 3,500 to 12,000 | 0.090 | 0.081 | 0.055 | 0.022 |
| 12,000 to 18,000 | 0.126 | 0.112 | 0.077 | 0.031 |
| 18,000 to 32.000 | 0.144 | 0.129 | 0.088 | 0.032 |
| more than 32,000 | 0.159 | 0.144 | 0.096 | 0.034 |
On which roads will the charge apply?
The heavy goods vehicle charge will apply on almost all motorways and on some provincial and municipal main roads. Further information about the road network to which the charge will apply can be found in the Explanatory Memorandum that accompanies the Heavy Goods Vehicle Charge Act (Wet vrachtwagenheffing). See road map and roads list in the Heavy Goods Vehicle Charge Act.
Will foreign trucks also pay the charge?
The heavy goods vehicle charge will also apply to foreign trucks that weigh more than 3.5 tonnes.
How can I pay the heavy goods vehicle charge?
Every truck must be equipped with on-board equipment that is in working order. This is used to record the number of kilometres driven on the chargeable road network. It is also necessary to agree a contract with a service provider authorised in the Netherlands. This service provider will arrange the on-board equipment required to calculate the charge. The service provider collects the charge from the licence plate holder and arranges for it to be paid to the government.
What will happen to motor vehicle tax and the Eurovignette?
Once the charge is introduced, motor vehicle tax will be reduced to the minimum permitted according to the European rules. The Eurovignette will also disappear.
How does the heavy goods vehicle charge system work?
In order to pay the charge, trucks must be equipped with on-board equipment that is in working order, referred to as an On-Board Unit (OBU). Using a satellite navigation system, the OBU records how many kilometres a truck drives on which roads. The system for charging is aligned with that in other European countries, such as Belgium and Germany. Toll service providers supply the on-board equipment needed to calculate the charge and also coordinate collection from the holder and payment to the government.
What is the difference between the main service provider and an EETS provider?
The Dutch main service provider (hoofddienstaanbieder) is active in the Netherlands only and must accept any customer. Customers of EETS providers can use a single contract and associated on-board equipment to pay the toll in several EU member states. They also receive a single invoice. EETS providers pass on the charges collected to the governments of the countries where the kilometres were driven.
How do I become a customer of a service provider?
The tender procedure for the main service provider is currently in progress. The EETS providers still need to be accredited. Well in advance of the introduction of the charge, information will be provided on how you can become a customer of these providers.
Will I need additional equipment in my truck for the heavy goods vehicle charge?
Trucks must be equipped with on-board equipment that is in working order, known as the On-board Unit (OBU). Using a satellite navigation system (such as GPS), the OBU records how many kilometres a truck drives on which roads. Truck owners are issued with on-board equipment by the toll service provider.
What do I do if the equipment is broken?
If the on-board equipment is faulty, this must be reported to the service provider. Replacement on-board equipment must be provided for the vehicle within three hours. The road user can contact the service provider for this purpose.
How is privacy guaranteed?
For the purposes of the heavy goods vehicle charge, it is necessary to process the personal data of the holder of the vehicle. These data are needed for payment, collection and enforcement. No more data will be processed than is necessary. All parties involved must comply with general data protection requirements, such as the GDPR. This includes the service providers, the minister and the supervisory authorities.
How will enforcement work?
In order to ensure that holders pay the charge, the government will conduct checks on domestic and foreign vehicles. This will be done by means of roadside inspections using monitoring equipment. Checks will be made to ensure that passing trucks have the right on-board equipment in good working order and to determine whether they have agreed a valid contract with a toll service provider. Anyone who fails to observe the rules will be fined. If it proves impossible to collect the fine, physical enforcement will follow. This could include such measures as immobilising the vehicle.
What will be done to prevent trucks diverting to alternative roads where the charge does not apply?
The chargeable network has been designed in such a way that diversion to alternative routes is not expected to occur, or only to a minimal extent. The heavy goods vehicle charge will apply on motorways and also on the roads expected to be used as alternatives as result of a charge on motorways only. In the event that monitoring shows a substantial increase in heavy goods vehicle traffic on roads where the charge does not apply, a decision may be made to add the road(s) to the chargeable network. Alternatively, (temporary) measures can be introduced on the road itself. Examples of this could include a ban on heavy goods vehicles or a speed reduction.
How will the heavy goods vehicle charge encourage the use of emission-free trucks and more efficient organisation of transport?
The heavy goods vehicle charge tariff will be based on the vehicle’s CO2 emissions. An emission-free truck will be entitled to a discount and pay approximately 80% less than a EURO VI diesel truck.
Furthermore, the net proceeds from the charge will be used for subsidies aimed at improving sustainability and innovation in road transport (revenue recycling). Examples include subsidies for the purchase of an electric truck, the purchase of electric charging points, a CO2 scan for companies and subsidies for hydrogen trucks and fuelling stations.
How much money will be available from the proceeds of the heavy goods vehicle charge to encourage improvements in sustainability and innovation?
In 2024, there is already €70 million available and in 2025, there will be €100 million for subsidies for improving sustainability and innovation. These subsidies will be funded by loans from the Mobility Fund. As soon as the heavy goods vehicle charge is introduced in 2026, this money will be refunded from the proceeds of the charge. From then on, the net proceeds from the charge will be used for subsidies aimed at improving sustainability and innovation in road transport. An estimate of the proceeds from the heavy goods vehicle charge and the revenue recycling will be included in the 2025 Budget.
What will the package of subsidies look like?
Subsidies will be available, for example, for the purchase of emission-free trucks, the purchase of electric charging points, the construction of hydrogen fuelling stations and to improve the efficiency of transport. On this page you can find more information about the package of subsidies.
Where can I apply for subsidies?
Subsidy applications can be submitted to the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).
When will I be able to apply for a subsidy?
This varies according to the subsidy. For example, subsidies for the purchase of emission-free trucks (the AanZET scheme) can be applied for from 26 March 2024. The RVO website provides details on when the different subsidy schemes start and what subsidies can be applied for and when.