In the Netherlands, the heavy goods vehicle charge (the truck toll) is scheduled to take effect on 1 July 2026. From that date, truck owners will pay per kilometre driven across almost all motorways and on certain provincial and municipal roads. The charge will apply to both domestic and foreign vehicles in categories N2 and N3. Charges will depend on vehicle emissions class and weight category, meaning that cleaner vehicles benefit from lower charges per kilometre. According to government guidance, the aim is to better align infrastructure use with environmental impact while encouraging investment in lower-emission transport technologies.
A structural change in freight economics
The introduction of the Dutch kilometre-based truck toll represents a structural change in freight cost allocation. A large proportion of costs becomes variable and dependent on operational factors such as distance and vehicle specifications. As a result, every kilometre driven carries greater weight in the total cost of road transport. This increases the importance of route efficiency and the optimal design of transport networks, making logistics performance more sensitive to distance optimisation.
Impact on long-distance road transport
Long-distance road freight is expected to be among the most affected segments of the Dutch truck toll reform, as total costs will rise in direct proportion to distance travelled. Container transport flows over longer distances will therefore experience a more immediate impact from route length and network configuration. This development may influence strategic transport decisions, particularly on corridors where alternative transport modes are available or where intermodal solutions can provide efficiency gains.
Intermodal transport: the strategic choice for the future
Our dedicated team specialises in seamlessly combining different transport modes, truck, rail and inland shipping, to find the most efficient intermodal solution for your shipments. By minimising road transport and shifting the majority of the route to rail and inland waterways, exposure to the upcoming heavy goods vehicle charge in the Netherlands is significantly reduced. At the same time, reliability and performance are consistently maintained.
Intermodal transport therefore provides a powerful answer to the rising costs and increasing pressure on road transport. In addition to direct cost benefits from fewer toll- and levy-sensitive kilometres, companies benefit from a more stable cost structure, reduced dependence on fluctuating fuel prices, and increased capacity on long-haul corridors. Intermodal transport is also less vulnerable to road congestion, resulting in more stable transit times and higher reliability on key European corridors. At the same time, intermodal solutions contribute to corporate sustainability objectives.
Would you like to learn more about intermodal transport or explore the opportunities for your supply chain? Please feel free to contact us.
