Automobile federation calls for “smart” kilometre tax for lorries and cars

Automobile federation calls for “smart” kilometre tax for lorries and cars
The implementation of the proposed kilometre tax would involve reform of the vehicle taxing system.

The automobile sector federation, Febiac, argues upon the publication of the Viapass figures, for the introduction of a “smart” kilometre tax for lorries and cars. Such a “smart” tax would thus enable a variable kilometre rate depending upon the journey time and location travelled to. The organisation’s thinking is that this may reduce bottlenecks.

It says, “Now lorries pay an identical amount even when they operate outside peak times...However, to combat bottlenecks, we need a ‘smart’ kilometre tax, and also for motorists.” Febiac emphasises that the tax would also “have a ‘green’ impact on car parks”, already the case with lorries.

Febiac says that this tax will be socially acceptable provided a given number of conditions are met. The implementation would be undertaken through reform of the car tax system with the removal of road fund tax and traffic tax, substituted by the kilometre tax. Febiac goes on, “Under such a system it would not be vehicle ownership which is taxed, but the given usage taking account of both vehicle use and time operated.” Febiac banks upon a 5 to 10% traffic reduction at peak times, and bottlenecks decreasing by some 40%.


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