The Taxation of Commercial Vehicles Across Europe Calls for Harmonisation

摘要

Taxes on the ownership and use of commercial vehicles vary substantially across Europe. Depending on the size of the vehicle, the difference in fixed annual taxes can amount to up to euro 3 000. Variable taxes, which depend on fuel consumption and are much more substantial than fixed charges, also show considerable differences: mineral-oil taxes can vary by more than euro 10 000 per annum for heavy international freight vehicles with the same mileage and the same average consumption.