Future Heavy Vehicle Fees for Electric Trucks: Discounts and Decarbonization Plans
Key Ideas
- From 2029, electric trucks will be required to pay the performance-related heavy vehicle charge (HVC) but will receive discounts for seven years.
- The Federal Council has advanced the introduction of the HVF for e-trucks from 2031 to 2029 to promote decarbonization of truck fleets.
- A new tariff system is being planned that will consider the drive technology of the vehicles, with discounts for electric and hydrogen-powered trucks until 2035.
- The discount on the heavy vehicle charge for electric and hydrogen-powered trucks will gradually decrease from 70 percent in 2029 to 10 percent in 2035.
The Swiss Federal Council is planning to implement a performance-related heavy vehicle charge (HVC) for electric trucks starting in 2029, with discounts available for seven years. This decision, subject to parliamentary approval, marks an acceleration of the original timeline, moving up the introduction of the HVF from 2031. The proposal aims to decarbonize truck fleets by promoting vehicles powered by batteries or hydrogen fuel cells. The new tariff system will consider factors such as weight, kilometers driven, and drive technology, with discounts on the HVF provided to electric and hydrogen-powered trucks until 2035. The discounts will gradually reduce annually, starting at 70 percent of the tariff in 2029 and decreasing to 10 percent by 2035. This move reflects Switzerland's commitment to sustainable transportation practices and reducing emissions from heavy vehicles.