Autobahn charges coming in...?
Just seen this in Caravan Times...
From 2016 onwards, foreign registered vehicles will be charged to use the autobahn network in Germany
German Transport Minister, Alexander Dobrindt, has announced that plans to charge motorists for using the autobahn network are being officially introduced starting in 2016.
This decision comes after the uniting of Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Union and the Christian Social Union, the CDU's Bavarian sister party. It is therefore clear why this decision was so important after Bavarian motorists have expressed upset that they are required to pay to use toll roads in Austria and Switzerland but Austrian and Swiss motorists do not have this restriction on German autobahns.
CSU Spokesman, Juergen Fischer, highlights this imbalance arguing "German drivers are paying almost everywhere in Europe and that's why it's only fair when foreign drivers pay on Germany roads."
Drivers of foreign registered vehicles will need to purchase a badge varying in price, depending on the length of use. The cost of a one-year badge will be determined by the engine size and vehicle emissions produced, implying that this could be bad news for some motorhomers.
Dobrindt said foreign drivers make 170 million trips to or through Germany every year and predicted the new charges would raise around ?2.5 billion (approximately £2 million) for over four years.
It has not been confirmed how much British motorhomes or cars towing caravans will be charged for use.