IRU Archives

EU Road Transport Toll Exemption Extended

Posted on 30 June, 20254 August, 2025 by David Priestman

The European Commission’s proposal to extend toll exemptions for zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles is a welcome step but broader Eurovignette reforms are still urgently needed.

IRU welcomes the European Commission’s proposal to extend toll exemptions for zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles, including trucks, to help encourage their market uptake. The Commission’s proposal extends the current exemption from road tolls and user charges for zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles from 31 December 2025 to 30 June 2031. Announced in the Industrial Action Plan for the European automotive sector, the measure aims to support the competitiveness of sustainable road transport to help boost the market uptake of zero-emission vehicles and align with the EU’s CO₂ emission performance standards, which target a 43% reduction in emissions from new heavy-duty vehicles by 2030.

IRU EU Advocacy Director Raluca Marian said, “Extending toll exemptions is a much-needed signal of support for early movers investing in zero-emission vehicles. It acknowledges the reality that incentives, not penalties, are what truly accelerate decarbonisation in commercial road transport. However, IRU urges EU policymakers to address key gaps in the broader Eurovignette framework to ensure a fair and effective transition to low- and zero-emission road transport.”

IRU stresses the need for urgent action in the following key areas:

1. Including other low-carbon fuels: Vehicles powered by alternative liquid and gaseous fuels, such as e-fuels, carbon-neutral fuels, biofuels, and biofuel blends, should also benefit from substantial toll reductions to support immediate lowering of CO₂ emissions in transport through the uptake of clean fuels.

2. Earmarking of CO₂-related revenues: A temporary, mandatory allocation of all CO₂-related toll revenues to support the commercial road transport sector’s decarbonisation efforts is essential.

3. Avoiding double taxation: The current framework allows Member States to impose multiple CO₂-related charges (e.g. rate variation and external cost charges), which risks overburdening operators and undermining investment in clean technologies.

“At this critical stage, when the sector must scale up its investment in zero-emission vehicles, which remain significantly more expensive, a temporary earmarking of CO₂-related toll revenues to support this transition is essential,” concluded Marian. “Without this, many operators will struggle. Moreover, the Eurovignette framework must go further by recognising the contribution of low-carbon fuels already reducing CO₂ emissions. An inclusive and balanced approach is the only way to ensure a fair and effective green transition.”

The proposal will now be reviewed by the European Parliament and the Council under the ordinary legislative procedure.

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Addressing the Shortfall of Adequate Truck Stops in Europe

Posted on 6 June, 202431 July, 2025 by David Priestman

Road transportation is a key part of how goods and essential items move around Europe. But there is a rising concern: the transportation sector is running out of truck drivers. The International Road Transport Union (IRU) reports that we are short of over 233,000 professional truck drivers. This issue is compounded by the fact that 1.3 million drivers are expected to retire soon, and fewer young people are stepping up to take their place.

The key question here is – why is there a lack of interest in truck driving among younger people? Could poor working conditions, including inadequate parking facilities, be part of the problem? How do these conditions affect the appeal of truck driving as a career?

First-hand Experience

Mindaugas Paulauskas, the CEO of Girteka Transport, recently completed an eye-opening two-week trip in the role of a truck driver, covering 7,600 km on key European routes.

This journey, part of the “Mindaugas on the Road” project, was undertaken to identify and understand the challenges truck drivers experience every day. Paulauskas, who made the trip together with a professional driver, Sergei Kovalev, shared their observations and experiences from the road.

As it turns out, inadequate parking facilities is a major concern for truck drivers across the continent. The availability and quality of parking facilities for truck drivers vary significantly from country to country, impacting both the efficiency of logistics operations and the well-being of the drivers.

On the Road with Nowhere to Stop

In Sweden, truck drivers benefit from well-managed parking facilities, known for their secure and well-fenced areas ideal for transporting high-value cargo. This sets a strong example in parking facility management, reflecting a level of security and organization to aspire to.

Conversely, Denmark offers a contrasting scenario; despite having an adequate number of parking spaces to accommodate the many trucks on its roads, restrictions on long-term parking pose significant challenges.
“Sometimes you cannot take a long rest there, as parking spaces have limitations in terms of time, staying there for up to 9 hours. This is causes some issues for us,” explains Kovalev. Enhancing the flexibility of these facilities could significantly improve operational efficiency and driver satisfaction.

The Case of Germany, Netherlands, and Belgium

Germany faces a critical situation with its parking infrastructure, which is overwhelmed by approximately 800,000 trucks. “Overcrowded parking areas lead to substantial stress and logistical delays, as securing a parking spot by mid-afternoon becomes an almost impossible task for us,” summarizes Paulauskas.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands and Belgium offer better conditions with their secure paid parking facilities. “Nonetheless, the high demand near major urban centres quickly outstrips supply, highlighting the need for expanded capacity,” Paulauskas concludes.

The Experiences in France and Spain

France showcases excellent parking facilities along major highways, providing safe and comfortable stops for drivers. However, there is a notable inconsistency on national and local roads, where parking spaces are scarce and lack basic amenities, necessitating uniform quality across all road types.

“In Spain, while the availability of paid parking generally meets the needs of drivers, striving for consistent quality across all regions would further enhance the driving experience and ensure the safety and comfort of all drivers,” explained Paulauskas.

Support for Drivers and the Industry

These observations underscore the urgent need across Europe to address disparities in parking infrastructure and support the continent’s logistics needs by improving conditions for truck drivers, as Paulauskas’s experience shows.

The current state of parking infrastructure across Europe clearly falls short of what is needed to support the demands of the industry, particularly under the new constraints of the mobility package, which necessitates longer rest periods for drivers.

Paulauskas emphasizes: “The mismatch between the available parking infrastructure and the requirements set by legislation is not just inconvenient; it directly affects the bottom line for logistics companies through increased costs and delayed shipments.”

Truck Stops in Europe

Addressing the parking issue is critical, especially if the industry hopes to attract a new generation of drivers. “Better parking facilities are not just about compliance with regulations; they are about respecting and valuing the hard work of our drivers,” Paulauskas points out.

By investing in a more robust and driver-friendly parking infrastructure, the sector can enhance the overall appeal of truck driving as a profession. This investment is a long-term strategy to ensure that truck driving becomes a more attractive and sustainable career choice for young individuals entering the workforce. Such improvements could significantly impact the quality of working conditions for truck drivers and, by extension, enhance the attractiveness of the profession.

DKV Euro Service partners with Girteka Logistics

Iraq Joins TIR Convention to Boost Development

Posted on 30 March, 202331 July, 2025 by David Priestman

The Republic of Iraq, at the crossroads of several trade routes in the Middle East, has become the 78th country to accede to the United Nations TIR Convention. Iraq’s accession to the TIR Convention anchors its strategic role as a transit hub and supports the country’s economic vision to expand its non-oil sectors.

The TIR system will boost regional trade and stimulate economic development and stability in Iraq and the wider region. IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto said, “We are thrilled that Iraq has joined the TIR system.

“This development will allow Iraq to fulfil its huge potential as a regional trade hub, supporting east-west and north-south connectivity. Iraq’s accession to the TIR Convention is a golden opportunity to confirm the country’s readiness to leverage the potential of international trade in supporting economic growth and driving prosperity and development,” he added.

Globally recognised for its high security standards and efficiency, the TIR system has been rapidly expanding in the Middle East. From Oman and the United Arab Emirates to Saudi Arabia, and most recently in Qatar, TIR is already significantly reducing border-crossing times and boosting trade in the region.

What is TIR?

TIR is the only global transit system. It enables goods to be shipped from a country of origin, through transit countries, to a country of destination, via a secure, multilateral, multimodal and mutually recognised system. TIR also provides a financial guarantee, managed by IRU, for the payment of suspended duties and taxes.

IRU is the world road transport organisation. We represent the entire industry – bus, coach, truck and taxi, and drive the sustainable mobility of people and goods across the planet.