Kilometer charge for trucks 2026
Kilometer charge for trucks in the Netherlands from July 1, 2026
From July 1, 2026, the Netherlands will introduce the kilometer charge for trucks. This means that all trucks with a technically permitted maximum mass exceeding 3,500 kg (category N2 and N3) will pay per kilometer driven on almost all highways and some provincial and municipal roads.
What will change.
- Eurovignette disappears: The current Eurovignette will expire on July 1, 2026 for the Netherlands. In Luxembourg, Denmark, Sweden the Eurovignette will remain mandatory.
- Motor vehicle tax down: For trucks up to 12 tons, the MRB will disappear completely. For heavier vehicles, it will be reduced to the European minimum.
- Rates per kilometer: The rate depends on the weight, emission class and VECTO class of the vehicle.
- On-board unit (OBU) mandatory: Every truck must have a working toll box to record mileage.
CO2 Emission Class
The emission class indicates how many harmful substances a vehicle emits. The higher the emission class, the cleaner the vehicle. This classification not only determines whether the vehicle has access to environmental zones, but also plays a role in tax regulations. For heavy trucks, there is also a CO₂ emission class. This class determines the amount of motor vehicle tax and from July 1, 2026 also the rate of road pricing.
Through the license plate check of the RDW it is possible to trace the CO2 emission class.
- Look under 'Engine and environment' and then under 'Emissions'.
- Under V.7 you will see the emission class and the CO2 emission class.
What is VECTO and why is it important
VECTO stands for Vehicle Energy Consumption Calculation Tool. This is a European standard that calculates the fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions of trucks. Based on this calculation, each truck is assigned a VECTO class.
- How does it work? Manufacturers supply VECTO data to the RDW, after which the class is determined.
- Why relevant: The lower the CO₂ emissions, the more favorable the VECTO class and the lower the rate per kilometer.
- Class classification: Trucks are divided into classes based on efficiency. An economical truck (low VECTO value) pays less per kilometer than a less efficient truck.
How it works.
CO2 emission class 1
| Technical maximum mass (kg) | EURO 0 | EURO 1 | EURO 2 | EURO 3 | EURO 4 | EURO 5 | EURO 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Over 3,500 to 12,000 | 0,272 | 0,221 | 0,211 | 0,184 | 0,162 | 0,131 | 0,113 |
| 12,000 to 18,000 | 0,392 | 0,315 | 0,300 | 0,266 | 0,229 | 0,186 | 0,160 |
| 18,000 to 32,000 | 0,432 | 0,364 | 0,347 | 0,308 | 0,264 | 0,212 | 0,182 |
| More than 32,000 | 0,487 | 0,409 | 0,392 | 0,349 | 0,298 | 0,236 | 0,201 |
CO2 emission class 2 to 5
| Technical maximum mass (kg) | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Over 3,500 to 12,000 | 0,103 | 0,092 | 0,063 | 0,025 |
| 12,000 to 18,000 | 0,145 | 0,129 | 0,088 | 0,035 |
| 18,000 to 32,000 | 0,165 | 0,148 | 0,100 | 0,037 |
| More than 32,000 | 0,183 | 0,165 | 0,111 | 0,038 |
(Source: RDW and truckload.com)
Road Map
The mileage charge will apply to almost all highways and some provincial (N) roads. Find the current road map here.
Truck toll road map
The user pays
From July 1, 2026, we will pass on the costs of road pricing where they arise. This means that regional work, with short trips, will have barely noticeable effects. For rural distribution over longer distances, the effect will be greater. We use a graduated structure in which the highest zones receive the largest cost increase. The distribution is done in proportion to the load: the more load meters a shipment takes up, the greater the share in the costs.
Example: a shipment of 13 load meters between Hillegom and Eindhoven will receive a significantly higher surcharge than a single block pallet on the same route. This is because the first shipment uses almost the entire truck space, while the second uses only a fraction of the capacity.
Need more information?
Leave a message and we'll get back to you.