Heavy Goods Vehicle Tax Sparks Protests in Alsace
The proposed heavy goods vehicle tax in Alsace, set to be introduced in 2027, has ignited significant concerns among local economic players, particularly within the transport sector. A go-slow operation by truckers is planned for Monday morning, affecting traffic between Mulhouse and Strasbourg, as they protest against the upcoming tax. The European Collectivity of Alsace (CEA) is scheduled to make a decision on this tax on October 21, amid rising tensions.
The CEA aims to implement this tax on heavy goods vehicles exceeding 3.5 tonnes, targeting the motorway that traverses the region. Frédéric Bierry, president of the CEA, argues that the tax is necessary to rebalance transit traffic, as many trucks are currently rerouting through Alsace due to higher fees on German motorways. This has led to an alarming 18% increase in heavy goods vehicle traffic in the region, with peaks reaching 30% in August alone.
Local economic associations, including the Collective for the Competitiveness of the Alsatian Economy, have voiced strong opposition, emphasizing that the tax will adversely affect all sectors and ultimately impact consumer purchasing power. They have expressed concerns over the Minister of Transport François Durovray’s understanding of the potential economic ramifications, arguing that the tax could exacerbate existing issues such as pollution, traffic congestion, and road deterioration.
Bierry has acknowledged the concerns raised by local businesses and has committed to ongoing consultations to refine the tax proposal. The CEA has already reduced the initial 500 kilometers of taxed roads to 200 kilometers, and is considering exemptions for various sectors to mitigate the financial burden on local companies. The tax is projected to generate €64 million annually, with half of that expected to come from transit traffic.
In light of historical opposition to similar tax proposals, such as the 2013 ecotax in Brittany, Bierry maintains that the current context is different, asserting that more than 50% of the tax revenue will derive from transit traffic, thus minimizing the impact on local economic players. He remains optimistic about finding a balanced solution that addresses both the need for road maintenance and the concerns of the local economy.
