Autobahn

Germany has adopted new plans to introduce highway tolls for foreign cars, compelling the drivers to pay when using roads and highways in the country.

Introduction of the new controversial car toll aims to raise money from foreign drivers travelling on German highways and state-owned roads who will have to pay by registering their licence plates through the internet.

Under the new law, drivers using Germany’s highways are required to pay an average toll of €88 ($110) a year starting in 2016 and the proceeds would go toward fixing the country’s transport infrastructure. The charges vary, depending on the age, engine size and emissions of a car.

The new bill by Germany will levy charges on foreign drivers, and it currently is one of the few European countries that do not charge car drivers for using its highways.

"This is an important step in changing the system fundamentally."

German Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt told Wall Street Journal that the proposed law requires approval of the upper house of parliament and is expected to mark a change in the way the country has financed its neglected autobahn network.

"This is an important step in changing the system fundamentally," Dobrindt said.

According to him, the plan would raise €500m a year and is in accordance with European law. However, the European Commission has raised concerns that the legislation may breach European anti-discrimination rules.

Countries such as France, Austria and Switzerland have toll systems for private cars, but do not distinguish between foreigners and nationals.

Warnings were given by Austria and the Netherlands saying that the issue may be taken up to the European Court of Justice.

Image: Autobahn A5 in Frankfurt, Germany. Photo: courtesy of Vladislav Bezrukov.