Austrian Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Doris Bures signed new regulations on Monday stipulating that as of 2010, the level of highway charges will be decided by the extent of exhaust emissions of heavy goods vehicles (Lkw).

According to the regulations titled "Ecologisation of Lkw charge," starting from Jan. 1, 2010, if the exhaust emission has not reached the "EU3" standard, the highway charge will increase 10 percent. If "EU4" or "EU5" is reached, the highway charge will be 4 percent lower than the current level. If the emission can reach "EU6" standard that is to be formally implemented in 2011, the driver could even save 10 percent.

By then, the highway charges of large passenger cars will also follow the new regulations.

Bures said that the regulations aimed at introducing an "ecological" reform of highway charges, and would also "indirectly" finance the elimination of old automobiles. She said that if a transport company could have all of their vehicles reach "EU5" standard, it could save 5,500 euros in highway charges on average, and if reaching "EU6," it could even save 8,000 euros.

However, Austrian truck operators have expressed dissatisfaction about the plan. Harald Bollmann, chairman of Transport and Communication Division of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, believed that the so-called "ecologisation" would increase companies' overall operating cost.

Austrian bus transport companies also believed that it is unfair to treat Lkw and passenger cars with the same standard. Karl Molzer, head of Federal Association of Austrian Bus and Coach Operators, noted that passenger transport has its particularity, which is essential for tourism, and unreasonable highway charges may lead to an increase in transport cost, which will be further passed on to customers.

(Xinhua News Agency July 21, 2009)