In short: In Germany, zero-emission trucks over 4.25 t are completely toll-free until 30 June 2031, and those up to 4.25 t permanently. Austria, the Netherlands and Bulgaria do charge electric trucks, but at much lower CO2 class 5 rates: in Austria, for example, €0.1189/km instead of €0.5724/km (4+ axles, net) – about 79% less than a Euro VI diesel in class 1.
The EU framework
The Eurovignette Directive (Directive 1999/62/EC as amended by 2022/362) allowed a full toll exemption for zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles until 31 December 2025. According to the Council of the EU, zero-emission vehicles can otherwise get reductions of 50–75% compared with the baseline class. On 27 June 2025 the European Commission proposed extending the exemption option to 30 June 2031. Germany's freight office BALM says Germany is using "the maximum possible exemption period under the European Eurovignette Directive". Each country decides whether to exempt or only discount.
Country comparison 2026
Heaviest truck class, Euro VI diesel in CO2 class 1 compared with zero-emission (CO2 class 5):
| Country | Vehicle class | Diesel, CO2 class 1 | Zero-emission | Valid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | > 18 t, 5+ axles | 34.8 ct/km | 0 (exempt) | until 30 Jun 2031 |
| Austria | 4+ axles | €0.5724/km net | €0.1189/km net | from 1 Jan 2026 |
| Netherlands | > 32 t | €0.156/km | €0.030/km | 1 Sep–31 Dec 2026 |
| Bulgaria | > 12 t, 4+ axles, motorway | €0.21/km | €0.14/km | from 1 Jun 2026 |
The Dutch and Bulgarian operator pages do not state whether VAT is included; the German rate table carries no VAT note either.
Germany: toll-free until mid-2031
Germany's Fourth Act amending toll legislation entered into force on 1 December 2025 and extends the exemption until 30 June 2031. According to Toll Collect it covers battery-electric, hydrogen combustion and fuel-cell trucks over 4.25 t; zero-emission vehicles up to 4.25 t are exempt permanently. The fuel type is shown in the registration certificate (field P.3). Toll Collect's emission class guide states that CO2 class 5 vehicles over 4.25 t will be assigned to pollutant category G when the exemption ends on 1 July 2031; the rates that will then apply have not yet been published. More: Germany truck toll 2026.
Austria: 75% off the infrastructure charge
Austria discounts rather than exempts. In CO2 class 5 a 4+ axle truck pays €0.1149/km infrastructure and €0.0040/km air/noise, but no CO2 charge. According to the Austrian transport ministry (press release of 10 September 2025), the discount for zero-emission vehicles over 3.5 t, "currently 75 per cent", is now "clearly regulated until 2030".
| CO2 class 5 | 2 axles | 3 axles | 4+ axles |
|---|---|---|---|
| €/km excl. 20% VAT | 0.0587 | 0.0806 | 0.1189 |
Details: Austria GO toll 2026.
Netherlands: separate e-truck rate since July 2026
Under the Dutch truck charge (vrachtwagenheffing, in force since 1 July 2026), electric trucks pay their own CO2 class 5 rate. For trucks over 32 t:
| Period | CO2 class 1, Euro 6 | CO2 class 5 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jul–1 Sep 2026 | €0.201/km | €0.038/km |
| 1 Sep 2026–1 Jan 2027 (22.3% discount) | €0.156/km | €0.030/km |
| from 1 Jan 2027 (provisional, +2.6%) | €0.206/km | €0.040/km |
The 2027 rates are announced; according to the operator, formal publication in the Staatscourant was due in September 2026.
Bulgaria: CO2 classes since June 2026
Under Decree No. 64 of 26 May 2026, Bulgaria has charged CO2-class-based rates since 1 June 2026. A truck over 12 t with 4+ axles pays €0.21/km on motorways in class 1 and €0.14/km in class 5. Note: BG Toll's FAQ still names 1 March 2026 as the start of the CO2 component; the current tariff page is the reference.
Switzerland: LSVA-exempt, expected until end of 2028
According to the Swiss customs office BAZG (Directive 15-02, December 2025), battery-electric and fuel-cell vehicles are exempt from the LSVA heavy vehicle fee, "expected until the end of 2028"; hybrids pay in full. Electric vehicles up to 4,250 kg are expected to stay exempt after that. Since 1 October 2025, electric goods vehicles must nevertheless carry a recording device and report kilometres. The document does not say what LSVA rules will apply to e-trucks from 2029.
Other countries
We could not verify current e-truck rules for Denmark, the Czech Republic and other countries on the operators' official pages, so we do not quote figures here. Please check with the operator directly.
Worked example: e-truck vs diesel
40 t articulated truck, diesel Euro 6 in CO2 class 1, compared with an electric truck:
- Germany, 100,000 tolled km: diesel €34,800, e-truck €0 → €34,800 saved per year (until 30 Jun 2031).
- Austria, 20,000 tolled km (4+ axles): diesel €11,448, e-truck €2,378 → €9,070 saved, net of VAT.
- Netherlands, 10,000 km in 2027 (> 32 t, provisional rates): diesel €2,060, e-truck €400 → €1,660 saved.
For quotes with a mixed fleet, calculate tolls per vehicle rather than using one flat figure. For the full cost picture: truck cost per km.
Calculate your route: Logist Calculator works out road tolls for every European country where they apply, using HERE routing and toll data; toll rates are reviewed once a year.
FAQ
Are electric trucks exempt from the German truck toll?
Yes. Zero-emission trucks over 4.25 t are exempt until 30 June 2031, and vehicles up to 4.25 t permanently.
How much does an electric truck pay in Austria?
CO2 class 5 costs €0.0587 to €0.1189/km in 2026 depending on axles, plus 20% VAT. The government says the 75% infrastructure discount is regulated until 2030.
Do hydrogen trucks count as zero-emission?
In Germany, yes: Toll Collect explicitly lists fuel-cell trucks and hydrogen combustion engines. CO2-neutral fuels in diesel trucks do not count.
What happens in Germany after 30 June 2031?
The exemption for zero-emission trucks over 4.25 t ends. The rates that will apply from that date have not yet been published.
This article is not legal advice.
Sources
- BALM: extension of toll exemption for zero-emission trucks (German)
- Toll Collect: FAQ on CO2 emission classes (German)
- Toll Collect: FAQ on alternative drives (German)
- Toll Collect: emission class guide (PDF, German)
- Toll Collect: toll rates since 1 July 2024
- ASFINAG: GO toll rates 2026 (PDF)
- Austrian transport ministry: truck toll agreement (German)
- Vrachtwagenheffing: rates
- Vrachtwagenheffing: truck toll rates 2027
- BG Toll: toll for vehicles over 3.5 t
- Council of the EU: proposal to extend the exemption (PDF)
- BAZG: LSVA overview (German)
- BAZG: Directive 15-02 heavy vehicle fees (PDF, German)
- VerkehrsRundschau: digital truck toll from 2026 (German) (trade press)
Last updated: October 2026. Toll rates and exemptions change – check the operator before quoting.