The German government aims to efficiently reduce greenhouse gas emissions and therefore extends the CO₂ pricing to include the transportation sector among others. At the core of the climate protection program is the new CO₂ pricing for transportation and heating starting in 2021.

Fixed Price for CO₂ Emissions from 2021

The national Emissions Trading System (nEHS) starts in 2021 with a fixed-price system. This means that the price per ton of CO₂ is fixed and politically determined. Certificates are sold to companies that distribute heating and fuels for transportation. Companies selling heating oil, liquefied petroleum gas, natural gas, coal, gasoline, or diesel will need a certificate for each ton of CO₂ emitted from the consumption of these substances starting in 2021. The certificate acts as a kind of pollution right. In 2021, certificates will be issued at a fixed price of €10 per ton of CO₂.

• In 2022, certificates will be issued at a fixed price of €20 per ton of CO₂.
• In 2023, certificates will be issued at a fixed price of €25 per ton of CO₂.
• In 2024, certificates will be issued at a fixed price of €30 per ton of CO₂.
• In 2025, certificates will be issued at a fixed price of €35 per ton of CO₂.

Experts estimate that, for example, a CO₂ price of €35 per ton (by 2025) will increase the price of diesel at the gas station by more than 9 cents. If more certificates are issued in a year than the emission allocations for Germany, additional ones must be purchased from other European member states. Starting in 2026, a maximum emission quantity will be set, decreasing from year to year. The total number of certificates issued nationwide will then correspond to the requirements of German and European climate goals.

Promotion of Low-CO₂ Trucks

The German government has committed to promoting the purchase of trucks with alternative, environmentally friendly drives (including hydrogen technologies) in the climate protection program. In addition to promoting trucks with alternative drives, the expansion of demand-oriented tank and charging infrastructure will also be supported. By 2030, the government aims to cover approximately one-third of heavy road freight transport mileage electrically or based on electricity-based fuels. Furthermore, a CO₂ differentiation of the truck toll in favor of environmentally friendly drives and the necessary revision of the Eurovignette Directive will be advanced.

Important for entrepreneurs with a truck fleet: The German government will introduce a CO₂ surcharge on the truck toll effective from 2023, utilizing the legal leeway.

CO₂ Calculation & Analysis by TachoEASY

The impact of the climate protection program on the transportation sector is extensive. To ensure your company can already prepare for the future, our software allows for a complete calculation of CO₂ emissions according to the current European standard DIN EN 16258. The calculation is based on real-time consumption, which can be easily assigned to a tour or journey. Calculating CO₂ emissions helps to plan tours more efficiently, save fuel costs, and alleviate climate impact.