Riigikogu accepts for consideration time-based road user tax
The Riigikogu on Tuesday accepted for consideration a bill that would introduce a time-based road user fee for trucks with a maximum mass of more than 3.5 tons on public roads.
In accordance with the bill, the rate of the fee would depend on the sum of the maximum mass of the truck and the trailer and the number of axles, as well as the vehicle's emissions class, which means that the legislation would be conducive to the use of less polluting vehicles, spokespeople for the Riigikogu said.
While the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications initially planned to impose the tax on vehicles with a maximum mass of more than 12 tons, this was not supported by the European Commission. Several interest groups also spoke up in favor of levying the tax from 3.5 tons onwards in order to avoid distorting competition.
The rate of the fee would be €500 annually on average for trucks with a maximum mass of 3.5-12 tons and €1,000 for trucks with a maximum mass exceeding 12 tons; the daily rate would range from €9-12. It would also be possible to pay the tax on a weekly, monthly or quarterly basis.
The estimated positive revenue impact of the tax is approximately €17 million per year.
The measure would enter into effect on Jan. 1, 2018 and the money thus raised would be used for the maintenance of transport infrastructure.
Editor: Aili Vahtla
Source: BNS