IRU welcomes the European Parliament’s vote to fast-track an extension of toll exemptions for zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) under the Eurovignette Directive. The measure, if confirmed, will prolong the current exemption from 31 December 2025 to 30 June 2031, providing critical financial certainty for operators investing in clean vehicle technology.
IRU recognises the Parliament’s vote to accelerate an extension of toll exemptions for zero-emission HDVs as an important step to support the industry’s transition but warns that voluntary measures alone are insufficient to drive the large-scale uptake of zero-emission vehicles.
IRU EU Director Raluca Marian said, “The European Parliament has sent a good message to the industry: the use of zero-emission vehicles can be incentivised. Extending the exemption brings legal certainty for operators considering that zero-emission vehicles are still two to three times more expensive than diesel models. (....)