Denmark's new traffic concept
A new toll system will replace the Eurovignette from 2025. Adjustments to the permitted weight and length classes, as well as to the environmental zone regulations, are also planned.
From 1 January 2025, the Danish toll system will change. (Truck) drivers will no longer have to pay for a certain time, but per kilometre driven. This was announced by the Ministry of Transport when the government approved the introduction of a new CO2-based toll system with the consent of the parliamentary majority. This will replace the current Eurovignette in 2025.
The toll will be calculated specifically according to the distance travelled and on the basis of the vehicles' CO2 emissions. Not only will trucks be divided into five emission classes, but they will also be differentiated according to weight. The more climate-friendly the truck, the lower the toll to be paid per kilometre will be. According to the Danish Ministry of Transport, the average rate will be around 1.2 Danish kroner per kilometre from 2025. For roads within environmental zones, this will even increase. However, it is not yet clear what exactly the price difference will be.
As is often the case with the creation and modification of transport policy measures, the introduction of the new toll system will take place gradually in three phases. From 2025 onwards, the new system will only apply to lorries weighing 12 tonnes or more. Vehicles weighing 3.5 tonnes or more will instead be subject to tolls from January 2027, while an extension of the toll to the entire public road network is planned for 2028. Until then, only national and other roads suitable for road traffic will be included in the toll system - as well as public roads within environmental zones.
By introducing the new toll, Denmark aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 0.3 million tonnes in the first year. An estimated reduction of CO2 emissions of around 0.4 million tonnes is to be achieved in 2030 instead. The state thus not only wants to invest the financial resources thus collected in the maintenance of the transport network and in the implementation of further measures, but at the same time reduce its impact on air quality and the environment.
This is precisely why the future replacement of the Eurovignette will be accompanied by further state intervention. In order to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels, the government had decided to allow more weight and length for trucks within the national regulations. Because in the end, fewer trucks on the roads also mean fewer emissions. In addition to road haulage, initiatives are planned to promote the transport of goods by rail.
Some tightening is also planned for the Danish environmental zones. As early as July 2020, the EcoSticker was replaced by registration and automatic checks by cameras. Since that year, vehicles in categories N2 and N3, as well as M2 and M3, are automatically registered for entry into the environmental zones. But a first registration date after January 2015 and Euronorm 6 are required. Euro5 vehicles in the N1 category with first registration after January 2012 will also not have to do anything else to be allowed to enter an environmental zone as of the current month. For this class, however, the corresponding regulations will change next year. From July 2023, only Euro6 vehicles will be allowed to drive. Vehicles that were registered before this cut-off date and have the corresponding Euro standard or a particulate filter must register online before entering.
In contrast to trucks and buses, all M1 vehicles - namely passenger cars and motor homes - remain unaffected by the environmental zone regulations. However, this too could change soon; traffic in the low-emission zones is becoming increasingly regulated. Then soon not only lorry drivers, but also all drivers may be subject to traffic restrictions in Denmark. To stay up to date, download our Green-Zones app!