The director of Sax-Trans is frustrated by the new road tax starting January 1.
A new road tax will take effect on January 1, targeting trucks on Danish roads. Initially, it applies to vehicles over 12 tons and only on 10,900 kilometers of Denmark’s 75,000-kilometer road network.
The law has faced widespread criticism, but it will now come into force this Thursday. At Sax-Trans in Sakskøbing, December has been spent installing devices in their trucks to track the required data.
When asked about the new rules, Sax-Trans director Peter Flensted Rasmussen cannot hide his frustration.
– We have raised our prices and passed on the cost. The expenses for this are so high that we would have to shut down if we didn’t. No one in the industry would survive without doing so, he says.
At Sax-Trans, 55 trucks over 12 tons will be immediately affected. By 2027, the rules will extend to smaller trucks over 3.5 tons and, by 2028, to the entire 75,000-kilometer road network.
– We’ve encountered a lot of understanding from our customers about the situation. But, of course, there are some grumbles here and there, says Peter Flensted Rasmussen.
Today, trucks emit around 1.7 million tons of CO₂ annually, and the goal of the new tax is to encourage more green trucks on the roads. The expected reduction in emissions by 2030 is 0.4 million tons of CO₂.
Key Criticisms:
-
Increased Costs: The tax puts significant pressure on small and medium-sized transport companies.
-
Higher Prices: Likely to result in more expensive goods for consumers.
-
Unfair Competition: Foreign trucks may end up paying less.
-
Control Challenges: Effective enforcement and monitoring of foreign vehicles remain uncertain.
-
Geographical Disparity: Rural areas are hit harder due to their reliance on road transport.
-
Limited CO₂ Impact: The projected reduction of 0.4 million tons by 2030 is criticized as minimal.
-
Job Losses: The industry fears fewer orders and workforce reductions.
Sources: ITD, Dansk Erhverv, Lastbilmagasinet.
