For everyone involved in car logistics, 2026 marks a turning point. Cost structures are shifting, access to cities is tightening, tax incentives are being scaled back, and sustainability is no longer a strategic choice but a prerequisite. What has been announced in phases over the past few years is now converging into concrete legislation that will have a daily impact on planners, drivers, fleet owners and dealers.
- In Germany, transport companies are already feeling the pressure of sharply higher CO₂-differentiated tolls.
- In France, heavy and polluting vehicles are increasingly discouraged through taxation and stricter environmental zones.
- In the Netherlands, kilometre charging is being introduced and the Eurovignette is being phased out.
- In Belgium, taxation is shifting decisively towards electric vehicles, while Brussels is tightening its environmental zone.
- In Denmark, heavy transport pays per kilometre driven and per unit of emissions, with further expansion already in sight.
This article sets out the most important changes by theme and by country.
1. Mileage tax, tolls and direct transport costs
Germany
Germany has fundamentally overhauled its Lkw-Maut system. In 2026, lorries will pay significantly higher tolls following the introduction of a CO₂ component. The higher the emissions, the higher the rate per kilometre. Electric trucks remain fully exempt, for the time being even until 2031. For diesel trucks, this translates into a structural increase in costs across almost all main roads.
France
France does not operate a national kilometre charge for lorries, but relies on other instruments to drive up costs. Urban access restrictions and purchase taxes in particular make the use of older vehicles financially unattractive, indirectly pushing up transport costs.
The Netherlands
The Netherlands will introduce a lorry charge from 1 July 2026. Lorries over 3.5 tonnes will pay per kilometre driven on motorways and parts of the underlying road network. The Eurovignette will be abolished entirely. In compensation, motor vehicle tax for lorries will be significantly reduced or scrapped altogether, depending on weight.
Belgium
Belgium will maintain the Eurovignette for heavy transport for the time being. A structural kilometre charge has not yet been introduced, but remains high on the agenda in the context of European harmonisation.
Denmark
Denmark was ahead of the curve. Since 2025, a kilometre-based charge has applied to trucks over 12 tonnes, based on distance travelled and CO₂ emissions. The system will be fully operational in 2026 and extended to vehicles over 3.5 tonnes from 2027. Denmark has therefore become a permanent cost factor for international car transport through Scandinavia.
2. Fuel, CO₂ and energy
Germany
In addition to tolls, transport operators in Germany also face rising costs through the national CO₂ tax on diesel. In 2026, Germany will switch to a market-based system with higher CO₂ prices. This will translate directly into higher fuel costs per litre, on top of existing excise duties.
France
France places less emphasis on fuel prices and more on vehicle taxation. Fuel excise duties remain relatively stable, but overall costs are shifting due to purchase and usage taxes on heavy vehicles.
The Netherlands
The temporary reduction in diesel excise duty is formally coming to an end, although it has been partially extended. In 2026, diesel excise duty will rise modestly. For transport operators, this means higher variable costs, but less abruptly than previously anticipated.
Belgium
Belgium is increasing excise duties to a limited extent. Compared with neighbouring countries, diesel remains relatively affordable, keeping Belgium attractive as a refuelling country for international transport, although this advantage is gradually eroding.
Denmark
Denmark is increasing diesel tax while combining it with kilometre-based charging. The message is clear: reducing fossil fuel consumption pays off immediately. Compensation is available for private individuals, but scarcely for transport companies.
3. Environmental zones and access to cities
Germany
German environmental zones will remain largely unchanged in 2026. The emphasis is less on expansion and more on enforcement. Euro 6 diesel remains the standard for access to urban areas.
France
France, by contrast, is taking a decisive step forward. In cities such as Paris and Lyon, older diesel and petrol vehicles will face further restrictions. From 2026, automatic enforcement via cameras will be rolled out. In practice, the absence of a valid sticker will result in an immediate fine.
The Netherlands
The Netherlands is introducing uniform signage for environmental and zero-emission zones. This will increase clarity for drivers, particularly those operating internationally. More and more city centres are preparing for zero-emission urban logistics in the years ahead.
Belgium
Brussels is tightening its low-emission zone. Euro 5 diesel vehicles will no longer be permitted from 2026, following a short transition period. Flanders, by contrast, has decided to postpone planned tightening, meaning regional differences will remain pronounced.
Denmark
Denmark relies less on traditional environmental zones and more on price-based incentives. Polluting vehicles are discouraged through tolls and taxes rather than extensive urban bans.
4. Taxation and vehicle fleets
Germany
Electric vehicles remain exempt from road tax. Subsidies for EVs are under review and partially being reintroduced, supporting the continued electrification of commercial fleets.
France
Companies with large fleets will be required to ensure that at least 18 per cent of new purchases are low-emission vehicles by 2026. Failure to comply will result in substantial fines per missing vehicle. At the same time, heavy and polluting cars will face higher registration taxes.
The Netherlands
Tax advantages for electric vehicles are being phased out. EVs will become subject to road tax and the youngtimer regime is being tightened. Government support will increasingly come through structural levies rather than subsidies.
Belgium
Belgium is making a decisive break with the past. From 2026, new fossil fuel-powered company cars will no longer be tax-deductible, while electric vehicles will remain fully deductible. For many fleet owners, this marks the definitive turning point towards electric driving.
Denmark
Denmark has long imposed high registration taxes. In 2026, electric vehicles will continue to benefit from tax advantages, while heavy and inefficient cars will become progressively more expensive to purchase and operate.
5. Transport and safety regulations
Germany
Digitisation is central to enforcement. Toll payments via apps will become possible, and vehicle data will play a growing role in compliance monitoring.
France
France is preparing for stricter visibility and safety requirements for lorries in urban areas, with particular emphasis on protecting pedestrians and cyclists.
The Netherlands
From July 2026, tachograph requirements will also apply to light commercial vehicles over 2.5 tonnes engaged in international transport. This will affect a significant number of car logistics journeys involving buses and trailers.
Belgium
Belgium is aligning with the same European rules, with increased attention to enforcement and working conditions, partly aimed at curbing bogus self-employment and unfair competition.
Denmark
Denmark combines strict supervision with scope for more efficient vehicle combinations. Longer and heavier lorries are permitted on designated routes, provided they can demonstrate CO₂ savings.
Conclusion. The era of experimentation is over
What will change in 2026 is not a disconnected set of measures, but a coherent redesign of how car transport in Europe is organised and priced. Time-based charges are giving way to payment per kilometre and per gram of CO₂. Exceptions are disappearing, while structural incentives are becoming the norm. Older vehicles are being pushed out, predictability and compliance pushed to the fore.
Dealers and fleet owners will feel the impact in two key ways. Transport will become more expensive when routes pass through toll roads, environmental zones and CO₂ charging regimes, and not every vehicle will be able to enter every city without restriction. Decisions about electrification and emission standards will therefore directly determine where vehicles can go and what transport ultimately costs.
At the same time, transport companies face a new layer of complexity in planning. The fastest route is no longer the only consideration; the cheapest route in toll terms, the permitted route through environmental zones, and compliance with driving and rest times, even for light vehicles subject to tachograph rules, all come into play. As a result, transport rates must better reflect real costs, and investment in the right equipment, from Euro 6 to zero-emission vehicles, is increasingly the difference between profit and loss.
At TransConnect, we do more than monitor these developments. We translate them into practical solutions, reliable capacity and transparent costs every day. Because remaining successful in car logistics in 2026 requires looking ahead, not merely reacting.
Sources
European Union (EU)
- European Commission – Euro 7 vehicle emission standards https://transport.ec.europa.eu/transport-themes/sustainable-transport/vehicle-emissions/euro-7-standards_en
- European Commission – General Safety Regulation (GSR II) https://transport.ec.europa.eu/transport-themes/road-safety/general-safety-regulation_en
- European Commission – Mobility Package I (tachographs and driving times)
https://transport.ec.europa.eu/transport-themes/social-provisions-road-transport/mobility-package-i_en
Germany (DE)
- Bundesministerium für Digitales und Verkehr – Lkw-Maut und CO₂-Differenzierung
https://bmdv.bund.de/DE/Themen/Mobilitaet/Strasse/Lkw-Maut/lkw-maut.html - Toll Collect – CO₂-Tariefklassen en Mautberekening
https://www.toll-collect.de/de/toll_collect/unternehmen/maut_tarife/maut_tarife.html - Bundesministerium der Finanzen – CO₂-Bepreisung (BEHG)
https://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/Web/DE/Themen/Steuern/Klimaschutz/co2-bepreisung.html - Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt – Fahrzeugzulassung en belasting EV’s https://www.kba.de/DE/Themen/Fahrzeugzulassung/fahrzeugzulassung_node.html
France (FR)
- Service Public – Malus écologique (CO₂- en gewichtstaks)
https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F19911 - Ministère de la Transition écologique – Zones à Faibles Émissions (ZFE)
https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/zones-faibles-emissions-zfe - Loi d’Orientation des Mobilités (LOM) – Vergroening wagenparken
https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/loi-orientation-mobilites - Agence nationale des titres sécurisés (ANTS) – Immatriculation et plaques WW
https://immatriculation.ants.gouv.fr
The Netherlands (NL)
- Rijksoverheid – Vrachtwagenheffing
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/vrachtwagenheffing - Belastingdienst – Accijns op minerale oliën
https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/nl/accijns/accijns - Belastingdienst – Motorrijtuigenbelasting elektrische voertuigen
https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/nl/motorrijtuigenbelasting - RDW – Milieuzones en zero-emissiezones
https://www.rdw.nl/particulier/voertuigen/milieuzones
Belgium (BE)
- FOD Financiën – Fiscaliteit bedrijfswagens
https://financien.belgium.be/nl/ondernemingen/vennootschapsbelasting/bedrijfswagens - Leefmilieu Brussel – Lage-emissiezone Brussel
https://lez.brussels - Vlaamse overheid – Lage-emissiezones Vlaanderen
https://www.vlaanderen.be/lage-emissiezones-lez - Febetra – Mobiliteit en fiscaliteit transport
https://www.febetra.be
Denmark (DK)
- Danish Ministry of Transport – Kilometer-based road pricing for trucks
https://www.trm.dk/temaer/vejtransport/vejafgifter-for-lastbiler - Vejdirektoratet – KmToll system
https://vejafgifter.dk - Skatteministeriet – Vehicle and fuel taxation
https://skat.dk/skat.aspx?oid=2234756
Danish Energy Agency – CO₂-reduction measures in transport
https://ens.dk/en/our-responsibilities/co2-reduction
