Date: 2021-01-18Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Decision No 3/2020 of the Community/Switzerland Inland Transport Committee of 16 December 2020 concerning the vehicle charging system applicable in Switzerland as from 1 July 2021 [2021/36]
Executive Summary:
This decision by the Community-Switzerland Inland Transport Committee adjusts the vehicle charging system in Switzerland, effective July 1, 2021. It modifies the performance-based charge on heavy goods vehicles based on EURO emission standards and abolishes the rebate for EURO II and EURO III vehicles retrofitted with particulate filter systems. The decision repeals Decision No 1/2011.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Performance-Based Charge on Heavy Goods Vehicles (Effective July 1, 2021):**
* Vehicles with a total laden weight of not more than 40 tonnes and travelling 300 km will be charged as follows:
* Charge Category 1: CHF 372.00
* Charge Category 2: CHF 322.80
* Charge Category 3: CHF 273.60
* **Charge Category Definitions:**
* Charge Category 1: Applies to all vehicles put into circulation before the EURO VI standard.
* Charge Category 3: Applies to vehicles of emission class EURO VI.
* **Repeal of Rebate:**
* Decision No 1/2011, which provided a rebate for EURO II and EURO III vehicles retrofitted with a particulate filter system, is repealed.
Impact Analysis:
**Switzerland:**
* Impact: Switzerland will need to implement the new vehicle charging system and adjust its enforcement mechanisms accordingly.
* Action Required: Update systems and communicate the changes to relevant parties.
**European Union:**
* Impact: The EU is party to the agreement and needs to ensure compliance with the adjusted vehicle charging system for vehicles operating in Switzerland.
* Action Required: Communicate the changes to member states and relevant stakeholders.
**Heavy Goods Vehicle Operators:**
* Impact: Operators of heavy goods vehicles traveling in Switzerland will experience changes in the performance-based charges, with EURO VI vehicles benefiting from the lowest rates and the elimination of rebates for retrofitted EURO II and III vehicles.
* Action Required: Adjust operational budgets and fleet management strategies to account for the new charging structure.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union: A political and economic union of member states located primarily in Europe.
Switzerland: A landlocked country in the Alps region of Europe.
Community-Switzerland Inland Transport Committee: A committee established under the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on the carriage of goods and passengers by rail and road.
Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on the carriage of goods and passengers by rail and road: An agreement governing the transport of goods and passengers between the European Community and Switzerland.
EURO classes: Emission standards for vehicles operating in Switzerland, used to differentiate vehicle charges.
EURO VI: The most recent EURO emission standard mentioned in the context of vehicle charges.
Bern: The de facto capital of Switzerland, where the decision was made.
Decision No 1/2011 of the Community-Switzerland Inland Transport Committee: A previous decision by the Committee regarding rebates on vehicle charges for specific EURO emission classes.
L 15/48 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e a n Union 18.1.2021
DECISION No 3/2020 OF THE COMMUNITY/SWITZERLAND INLAND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE
of 16 December 2020
concerning the vehicle charging system applicable in Switzerland as from 1 July 2021 [2021/36]
THE COMMUNITY/SWITZERLAND INLAND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE,
Having regard to the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on the carriage of goods
and passengers by rail and road(1) (‘the Agreement’), and in particular Articles 40(6) and 52(4) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) In accordance with Article 40 of the Agreement, Switzerland has since 1 January 2001 levied a non-discriminatory
charge on vehicles for the costs to which they give rise (‘performance-based charge on heavy goods vehicle traffic’).
This charge is differentiated according to three categories of emission standards (EURO classes).
(2) To this end, Article 40(2) and (4) of the Agreement lays down the weighted average of the charges, the maximum
charge for the most polluting category of vehicles and the maximum difference in charge from one category to
another.
(3) Under Article 40(6) of the Agreement, the Community/Switzerland Inland Transport Committee determines the
weighting on the basis of examinations carried out every 2 years to take account of trends in the structure of the
vehicle fleet operating in Switzerland and changes in the EURO standards. In view of the modernisation of the
vehicle fleet operating in Switzerland, as a result of which more and more vehicles comply with the most recent
EURO standards, the distribution of the EURO standard categories should be adjusted such that the least polluting
emission class, EURO VI, remains in the lowest-taxed category and emission classes EURO IV and V are placed in
the highest-taxed category.
(4) The rebate, provided for in Decision No 1/2011 of the Community/Switzerland Inland Transport Committee(2), of
10 % of the fee applying to their category for vehicles of emission classes EURO II and EURO III retrofitted with an
approved particulate filter system should be abolished for the same reasons,
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
Article 1
The performance-based charge on heavy goods vehicle traffic for vehicles with an actual total laden weight of not more
than 40 tonnes and travelling a distance of 300 km shall be:
— CHF 372,00 for charge category 1,
— CHF 322,80 for charge category 2,
— CHF 273,60 for charge category 3.
Article 2
Charge category 1 shall apply to all vehicles put into circulation before the EURO VI standard entered into force.
Charge category 3 shall apply to vehicles of emission class EURO VI.
(1) OJ L 114, 30.4.2002, p. 91.
(2) Decision No 1/2011 of the Community/Switzerland Inland Transport Committee of 10 June 2011 concerning the granting of a rebate
on the performance-based fee on heavy goods vehicle traffic for vehicles of emission classes EURO II and III with an approved
particulate reduction system (OJ L 193, 23.7.2011, p. 52).18.1.2021 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e a n Union L 15/49
Article 3
Decision No 1/2011 is hereby repealed.
Article 4
This Decision shall enter into force on 1 July 2021.
Done at Bern, 16 December 2020.
For the Swiss Confederation For the European Union
The President The Head of the European Union Delegation
Peter FÜGLISTALER Elisabeth WERNER