So, it seems that the truck toll on German highways is set for a significant rise due to the inclusion of carbon dioxide emissions in the calculation starting from December 1, 2023. This change will impact transportation costs for businesses in Saxony, according to the Leipzig Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK).
The German Press Agency conducted a survey, suggesting that a family of four could potentially face additional costs of up to 370 euros per year due to the truck toll increase. However, the Saxon Ministry of Transport stated that the toll accounts for only a small part of the transport costs, and a significant increase in consumer prices is not expected even if the additional toll costs are passed on by road haulage companies.
Andreas Roitzsch, Managing Director of Roitzsch & Sohn Spedition GmbH in Wilsdruff near Dresden, announced that the company would pass the higher toll on to their customers one-to-one. However, hauliers in Chemnitz may not be able to pass on the new costs incurred in December easily, as contractual agreements and financial advance payments can hinder this process.
The actual impact on consumer prices in Saxony is difficult to quantify without specific data on the regional economy and industry dynamics. Nevertheless, it's clear that the higher tolls will increase operational costs for trucking companies, which may ultimately lead to higher transportation costs and potentially increased consumer prices.
This rise in truck tolls follows a 40% to 83% increase for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) starting from December 1, 2023. This may contribute to a weakened German economy, as the Federation of German Industries (BDI) has forecasted a contraction. As businesses try to maintain their profit margins, higher transportation costs could lead to higher inflation and potentially impact consumer prices.
In conclusion, the rise in truck tolls is set to shake up the logistics industry in Saxony, possibly leading to higher transportation costs and potentially increased consumer prices. The true impact remains to be seen, but businesses and consumers should be aware of the potential changes and plan accordingly.
