[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ module_class=”reverse-columns-mobile” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ text_font=”roboto-regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#003a7c” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||15px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]Creadits: AdobeStock, Steffen Holzmann, L.I.T[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]In your opinion, is the new toll regulation the right move towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions in road transport and for achieving climate protection targets?<\/p>\n Resch:<\/strong> Alongside other initiatives, the expansion of the HGV toll is an important first step in driving forward the decarbonisation of road freight transport and a greater shift towards rail. Adding the CO\u2082 element to the toll is a response to the fact that freight transport must also play its part in achieving binding climate protection targets in the transport sector. At the same time, it\u2019s clear that this measure alone won\u2019t be enough to overcome the climate protection shortfall in the industry.<\/p>\n Breuer: <\/strong>No. There are no real incentives to invest in intermodal transport or alternative engine types. Of course, we ourselves are looking at how we can promote intermodal transport, i.e. getting more freight onto the railway. Indeed, we already operate two entire trains ourselves, which take 100 lorries off the road every day. In future, we\u2019d also like to be more active in this sector by loading individual trailers by train. Germany\u2019s deteriorating rail infrastructure is a limiting factor here, though. There\u2019s no question that the issue of decarbonisation must be promoted, but we feel that the German government isn\u2019t creating any incentive with this toll increase.<\/p>\n Does linking the toll to CO2 emissions create an incentive for the industry to switch to eco-friendly vehicles?<\/p>\n Resch:<\/strong> It constitutes an additional incentive to switch to battery-electric drives and to shift to rail transport. The cost advantage of e-trucks currently lies in the operating costs. Over the next few years, their cost advantage will increase, and from around 2025 \u2013 purchase premiums notwithstanding \u2013 they\u2019ll reach cost parity with internal combustion engine lorries. A study by our umbrella organisation Transport & Environment suggests that electric lorries will have lower overall costs in 99.6 per cent of applications in European road freight transport from 2030, while meeting the same requirements in terms of range, running time and payload. This applies from 16-tonne distribution lorries to 40-tonne long-distance lorries. The toll extension increases the cost advantage for e-trucks and can therefore be an additional incentive. However, we believe that permanently exempting e-trucks from all toll components isn\u2019t the way to go, as battery-powered lorries can also have a negative impact on the environment and place a burden on infrastructure. <\/p>\n Breuer: <\/strong>In principle, yes, even if there are no real alternatives that can be universally implemented. LNG lorries are already a first step. There is also a good network of refuelling stations, but the war in Ukraine has sent LNG prices through the roof. LNG lorries were previously exempt from the toll, but they will also have to pay it in full from January. I think that\u2019s unfair because the war has made conditions very difficult. LNG lorries contribute to decarbonisation, at least as a first step. The German government should at least take this into account when implementing tolls. We now have a subsidised project for two hydrogen trucks, but when you look at the current hydrogen prices, you\u2019ll see they\u2019re off the charts. I currently pay between eight and twelve euros for a kilo of hydrogen. We intend to do something about that, but even that\u2019s difficult to achieve economically.<\/p>\n Who do you see as the winners and losers under the new regulation? Will the new HGV toll also have an impact on consumers?<\/p>\n Resch:<\/strong> The introduction of a CO\u2082 element is a response to the fact that road freight transport accounts for a significant proportion of the sector\u2019s climate-damaging emissions. So far, the sector hasn\u2019t been able to meet climate protection targets, which is why we submitted a successful case for a climate protection programme for immediate implementation before the Berlin-Brandenburg administrative appeals tribunal. Accordingly, the CO\u2082 element is also part of the German government\u2019s climate protection programme, which makes the climate the most likely winner. At the same time, the CO\u2082 element is a step towards ending road transportation as the favoured method. The HGV toll applies to motorways and major national roads \u2013 in rail transport, the network charge must be paid on all routes. The transport costs of goods, and the toll is only part of it, generally only account for a low single-digit percentage of the selling price. I don\u2019t think the toll increase will have any impact on the prices of consumer goods.<\/p>\n Breuer: <\/strong>E-mobility and intermodal transport are certainly seeing increased demand, even if they can\u2019t be used for many transport operations. This will definitely have an impact on the end consumer. Many companies are downsizing their vehicle fleets or are even considering stopping altogether because optimising their truck capacity, including drivers, is a battle they\u2019re fighting daily. Some are unable to cope with this additional cost increase. If this happens, we\u2019ll also see it on supermarket shelves, either through reduced product availability or rising prices.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ module_class=”dtb-sticky” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_sidebar area=”et_pb_widget_area_7″ show_border=”off” admin_label=”Werbung Startseite \/ Artikel” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_sidebar][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.logistics-pilot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Juergen-Resch_500px.png” title_text=”Ju\u0308rgen-Resch_500px” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”25px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ header_3_text_color=”#002e5b” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||40px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n J\u00fcrgen Resch <\/strong>has been Federal Managing Director of Environmental Action Germany (DUH) since 1988 and was instrumental in uncovering the emissions scandal.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ prev_background_color=”#ffffff” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ background_enable_color=”off” use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_stops=”rgba(0,58,124,0.13) 0%|#ffffff 100%” background_color_gradient_start=”rgba(0,58,124,0.13)” background_color_gradient_end=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” top_divider_style=”waves2″ top_divider_height=”55px” top_divider_flip=”horizontal” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ custom_padding=”114px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]What further steps do you see as essential for climate protection and the transformation of the transport sector?<\/p>\n Resch:<\/strong> As regards freight transport, of course, the development of an adequate and efficient charging infrastructure is an important element when switching to battery-electric drives. However, expanding and electrifying rail transport is also crucial to create additional capacity. For this purpose, a rail freight transport master plan, which has been agreed with the relevant associations, has been drawn up and must now be implemented. We mustn\u2019t delay any more.<\/p>\n Breuer: <\/strong>The railway infrastructure and e-truck charging facilities are urgently needed and must be made quickly. The shift must be worthwhile for freight forwarders, which is why all types of traffic that results in lower CO\u2082 emissions should be cheaper to undertake. Forwarders must also be held accountable here. At the moment, however, only the price seems to play a role. (bre)<\/em>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ module_class=”dtb-sticky” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.logistics-pilot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Simeon-Breuer-_500px.png” title_text=”Simeon-Breuer-_500px” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”25px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ header_3_text_color=”#002e5b” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||40px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Simeon Breuer <\/strong>has been Managing Director of L.I.T.Speditions GmbH and member of the L.I.T. AG Executive Board since 2020.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ prev_background_color=”#ffffff” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_enable_color=”off” use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_stops=”rgba(0,58,124,0.13) 0%|#ffffff 100%” background_color_gradient_start=”rgba(0,58,124,0.13)” background_color_gradient_end=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” top_divider_style=”waves2″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The heavy goods vehicle toll, imposed as a means to accelerate the transition to climate-neutral drive systems, has been linked to CO2 emission levels since 1 December 2023. J\u00fcrgen Resch, Federal Managing Director of Environmental Action Germany (DUH), and Simeon Breuer, Managing Director of L.I.T Speditions GmbH, assess this plan from different perspectives.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":65119,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[297],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-65124","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-point-of-view-en"],"yoast_head":"\n\u201cRoad transport contributes significantly to climate-damaging emissions.\u201d<\/h3>\n
\u201cThe German government isn\u2019t creating any incentive with this toll increase.\u201d<\/h3>\n