This Tuesday the European court of justice judge toll on the German Car. Especially for foreign car drivers, it could be on German motorways is more expensive then. The financial Benefit is controversial.
The toll is coming or not coming? In addition, the German Federal government and all vehicle will get the holder in the EU, this Tuesday clarity. The court agrees with the introduction of the toll, have to pay for all motorists for use of roads a fee.
This is to be collected on the purchase of the corresponding vignettes. In the case of cars registered in Germany, to get the owner to compensation, however, a credit for the motor Vehicle tax. So German car owner would pay virtually no tax.
Against the projects of Austria had appealed, with the support of the Netherlands. The Argument of the neighboring state: The levy was with the European treaties are not compatible, since they are part Austrian, as well as all other EU citizens, with the exception of the German notification. Thus, Germany would be the prohibition of discrimination of EU citizens is not fair.
Preliminary decision already been taken?
Before the hearing next Tuesday, it looks as if Germany could convince the court of his view. At the beginning of February, the advocate General of the ECJ, had commented in a report, there is no Europe, concerns about the Federal government’s proposed toll for Cars. According to his assessment, the view of Austria, EU-based foreigners were discriminated against in Germany, on a “basic misunderstanding”. You can’t compare foreign and German vehicle owners with each other, as foreign vehicle were the holder of the German motor vehicle tax.
A lot of traffic also brings a lot of revenue – a view to the Berlin city motorway, Toll
The evaluation of the advocate General is considered to be a reference to the fact that the court could dismiss the breach of contract action brought by the Austrians. Although an Advisory opinion is not mandatory. In practice, however, the judges of the ECJ followed the advocate General often.
The plans of the Minister of transport
The court would approve the introduction of the toll, will the Minister of transport, Andreas Scheuer (CSU) to collect these by October of next year. Preparations are already underway. So the Federal government had already closed in the past year, contracts with firms to guarantee the implementation of the toll.
The toll would be introduced, would also have to EU-foreigners for the use of highways to pay. This would be possible through the purchase of a Vignette for ten days, two months or a year. Their height depends on the environmental impact of the Cars. So is the Ten-day Vignette between five and 15, the Two-month-Vignette between the ages of 16 and 30, and the annual vignette between 74 and 130 euros. The basis of the calculations is a combination of emission class and engine displacement. To purchase the vignette in the Internet, using an App on the phone or via a pay station on site.
Proponents of the toll: the Federal Minister of transport, Andreas Scheuer (CSU)
The proceeds from the toll will go into the construction of new and the restoration and repair of already existing roads. According to present calculations, the Federal government could make the toll a turnover of 3.85 billion euros. Three billion of German vehicle owners, which would then be compensated via the motor Vehicle tax would be according to the current state. The rest of the 850 million came from foreign car owners. The operation and control of the system is currently estimated to be around 245 million euros. Accordingly, around 600 million euros could be invested in road construction.
Controversial Calculations
The calculations, however, are controversial. “A deficit of ten to 155 million euros in the first years of the introduction is probably,” it says in a report of the forum Ecological-Social market economy (GBG) for the Green group in the Bundestag.
Therefore, the reason lies in Changes to the original concept. It is expected that the rates for short-term vignettes to higher Proceeds in the case of foreign cars would lead. But with the toll associated discharge for vehicles that meet the eco-friendly Euro 6 exhaust standard, would reduce the actual net revenue.This could then lead to a deficit in the current operation. In addition, the people would have to be included in the calculation of economic damage due to less cross-border traffic more, criticized the GBG report.
The calculations of revenue are subject to criticism. View the A 8 at Stuttgart
The Federal transport Ministry, however, considers in his calculations. “There is no deficit,” explains the end of may, a spokeswoman for transport Minister Andreas Scheuer. First, however, the European judges have the word, you will have to decide on the legality of the toll.