Germany has formally enshrined the extension of toll exemptions for zero-emission trucks into federal law, allowing battery-electric commercial vehicles to remain exempt from road tolls until June 30, 2031. The amendment, approved by the Bundestag in mid-November, has now been officially promulgated, clearing the way for the regulation to take effect in the coming year.
Under the revised law, electric trucks weighing 4.25 tonnes or more will remain toll-free well beyond the previous expiry date of Dec. 31, 2025, fully utilising the exemption framework permitted under the EU’s Eurovignette Directive. Commercial vehicles below 4.25 tonnes will benefit from a permanent exemption. By contrast, several other EU member states apply partial exemptions, shorter durations, or no toll relief at all for battery-electric trucks. In Germany, internal combustion engine vehicles from 3.5 tonnes upward are generally subject to tolls, with only limited exemptions.
Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder said the extension would support the shift to low-carbon freight transport. “By extending the toll exemption until mid-2031, we are providing a significant boost to the market adoption of zero-emission trucks. Businesses now have planning certainty, and the transition to emissions-free trucks remains an attractive proposition,” he said. The confirmation comes after months of uncertainty for fleet operators, as the previous exemption was due to expire at the end of 2025, potentially exposing electric trucks to infrastructure charges from 2026.
The law also introduces changes to toll registration from early 2026. In addition to existing on-board units and manual booking via the internet or apps, a new semi-automated option will be launched using the ‘TollNow’ app from Toll Collect GmbH. The system will record journeys using mobile device location data, reducing the need for rebooking in case of route changes. The transport ministry said the app would initially be available for Apple iOS from mid-January 2026 and is designed mainly for occasional users rather than replacing permanent on-board units.
For logistics firms, the extension is expected to have a material impact on total cost of ownership calculations for electric trucks. The special toll treatment was first introduced in December 2023, alongside higher and CO₂-based toll rates for conventional vehicles. With the latest decision, operators and manufacturers now have visibility on six additional years of toll relief. According to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), externally chargeable trucks of 3.5 tonnes or more currently account for about 5.5% of the German market this year to date, a figure the government hopes will rise as incentives strengthen.
