Changes in transport in Germany is offered quite radical.
The authorities intend to introduce drastic measures to meet climate targets in the transport sector: increase fuel prices, remove surcharges for commuter transport, increase the number of buses and trains, and limit speeds. The CO₂ price should be at least doubled from 2022 from the previous plan. This will mean a significant increase in gasoline and diesel prices. In return, the government department proposes to introduce social compensation.
“Without a huge effort, there will be nothing to do with climate protection. Much more effective measures are needed in the transport sector, ”said Federal Environment Agency President Dirk Messner, quoted by Stern magazine.
In a comprehensive document, the authorities are proposing to abolish the diesel benefit from 2023. Until now, diesel has been taxed less than gasoline. In addition, from 2022, we intend to gradually abandon tax subsidies for official vehicles. From 2027, it is proposed to abolish the travel allowance. According to Messner, these are false incentives for climate protection. The flat rate premium has supported the trend towards extended commuting. At the same time, commuting to work is more often carried out in vehicles with one passenger. In order to mitigate social hardships, travel expenses in particularly difficult cases are proposed to be compensated in income tax.
The authorities are also proposing to significantly expand local public transport. And to support cycling and rail travel with billions of euros. To accelerate the time to market for electric vehicles, there should be stricter CO₂ targets in Europe. The purchase of new cars with low CO₂ emissions and thus green cars can be promoted with a bonus, and cars with high CO₂ emissions will become more expensive through fines. The department wants to introduce tolls on all roads – from about 2030. “Mileage-based toll creates incentives to reduce or save total travel by car and to switch to more environmentally friendly modes of transport,” the document says.
It is planned that tolls will make the largest contribution to road traffic financing in the future. Messner also spoke in favor of a general motorway speed limit of 120 kilometers per hour. This can help the climate almost immediately and at no additional cost, as well as improve traffic safety, he said.
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