The Dutch government will introduce a heavy goods vehicle charge in 2023. Our neighbouring countries already have such a charge. The heavy goods vehicle charge means that compared with the current situation Dutch … and foreign hauliers will pay more according to the use they make of the road. So how will this system work?
Just as in countries like Belgium and Germany, heavy goods vehicles will be charged by means of a device called an on-board unit, or OBU. This unit will be supplied by toll service providers. The Dutch government wants to make the fullest possible use of on-board units already being used elsewhere. This will allow you to drive with one and the same OBU...through multiple countries.
During the journey, the OBU will maintain a connection with the satellite system. This is how the number of kilometres driven on chargeable roads will be determined … and billed.
A differentiation will be made according to the heavy goods vehicle’s environmental properties … and weight; the cleaner or lighter the vehicle, the lower the charge will be.
The data in the on-board unit will be secured. This will protect the privacy of the driver.
The authorities will inspect both Dutch and foreign vehicles. Anybody who fails to observe the rules will be fined.
The revenues obtained from the heavy goods vehicle charge will be channelled back into the transport sector. This will occur by lowering motor vehicle tax and to a significant extent by funding for sustainability and innovation.
In this way, the heavy goods vehicle charge will form the basis of a bright future for the Dutch transport sector!
