An Austrian industry association wants an end to the night-time HGV driving ban

The new Austrian government has announced a programme of measures that takes into account a number of demands voiced by the freight transport industry. According to industry representatives, this is a long-awaited for of real support for transport companies.

A new government is always an opportunity for changes in the freight transport industry. That is why we welcome the first important measures included in the government programme said Markus Fischer, head of the freight transport industry association at the Austrian Chamber of Commerce.

The program takes into account continuing demands, especially regarding technological neutrality. This is the only way to create the necessary enabling conditions in the interests of all parties involved. Measures are needed to reduce traffic on secondary roads generated by hevicles trying to avoid traffic jams on the main routes and thus reduce CO₂ emissions; it is also necessary to support the continuous development of alternative fuels such as HVO100 and the charging infrastructure.
The transport industry welcomes the end of the standard CO₂-based tax (NoVA) for trucks (N1) and small trucks, as well as the increase in the dead weight limit for electric vans.

After years of lobbying, it is encouraging to see that the new federal government wants to rectify the mistakes of its predecessors explains Katarina Pokorny, spokesperson for the sector of small transport companies at the Austrian Chamber of Commerce.

Despite these positive signals, the new government still has a lot to do. Fischer sees an urgent need to clarify the issue of ASFINAG’s financing.

Ensuring sustainable financing and thus infrastructure is in the interest of all parties involved, but this must not be done at the expense of freight transport by further toll increases warns Fischer.

Fischer is also critical of the slot system and new ways of limiting the HGV traffic. These measures lead to further reductions in throughput and often cause traffic disruptions and traffic jams that stretch for miles. Driving bans will not solve the problem. That’s why Fischer is calling for the abolition of the night-time driving ban, which would relieve rush-hour traffic and improve the flow of transport. Similar problems can also result from excessive inspections of heavy goods vehicles. It is important that the enforcement agencies act with moderation and strive for dialogue with the industry. Instead, inspections should focus on protecting the domestic market from illegal foreign competition.