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EC gunning for noisy, dirty truck operators
Page 6
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By Patric Cunnane THE EUROPEAN Commission has proposed charging truck operators for noise, congestion and air pollution caused by their lorries.
The rule, due to come into force in 2011, has yet to be approved by member states and the European Parliament. However, the Commission says lorries carry 73% of the goods transported by land in the EU, but are harder on the environment than trains or barges.
It claims that trucks account for 90% of an estimated €100bn (£79.6bn) annual environmental cost of all transport.
"Currently, heavy-duty vehicles travelling within the EU can be charged only for wear and tear on roads," says the Commission.
The plan would permit EU governments to levy tolls for costs related to noise, air pollution and traffic congestion. Although governments will not be obliged to impose the charges, they will have the authority do so for vehicles above 3_5 tonnes.
Tolls would be lower for less polluting vehicles. The revenue must be used to reduce environmental impact, for example by developing more energy efficient vehicles. "The package is about making sure the polluter, and not the taxpayer, pays for environmental damage," says EU transport commissioner Antonio Tajani. Paul Denyer, director at Kent-based haulier Alan Firmin says: "There's already enough red tape for us to deal with. I think they should spend more time getting people to run Euro-4 and Euro-S trucks before they start looking at bringing in this kind of taxation."
Jack Semple, Road Haulage Association (RH A) director of policy says: "We need a realistic view of what is a core engine of the economy. There's too much emphasis on hammering road haulage."
Together with the IRU (International Road Transport Union), the RHA is pushing for a flat rate diesel duty across all modes of commercial transport, believing that hauliers currently pay a disproportionate share. The Freight Transport Association says UK operators already pay environmental taxes through high fuel duty. "Other countries fall short, giving them an unfair advantage," insists Simon Chapman, FTA chief economist. He adds that pollution isn't an exact science. "By some measurements carbon is .E10 a tonne; by others, it's £90 a tonne."
However, Chris Davies, MEP and Liberal Democrat EU environment spokesman, believes UK operators should not be alarmed. He says: "Given the current economic situation, there is no likelihood of the legislation being introduced in the UK."
The real aim of the Commission is to remind manufacturers of their duty to produce less polluting vehicles, he points out, adding: y -And that's no bad thing."
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