It was already known that Flanders would significantly increase the rates of ‘its’ kilometer tax on July 1, 2026. The tariff supplement resulting from the addition of a CO2 component is now known.
As a reminder: Flanders is only fulfilling a European obligation by anticipating the deadline, as Germany has done. The point is to adjust the kilometer charge rates to the CO2 emissions of the vehicle, in addition to the Euro classes and the maximum permitted weight. This obviously leads to a significant increase in income from the kilometer charge.
In the September statement of the Flemish government, it was clearly announced that the aim was to increase these revenues by 180 million euros on an annual basis and by 90 million euros for the last six months of 2026. It will be more: according to our information, the estimates are now 125 million euros in 2026 and 250 million in 2027. That is an increase of 38% compared to 2024. In concrete terms (and if the preliminary figures that we have been able to consult are confirmed) the surcharge will be 7.4 cents for a Euro 6 vehicle of more than 32 tons. Vehicles whose Vecto figures are more than 5 or 8% lower than what we call the ’emission reduction trajectory’ fall into emission class 2 or 3 and will pay slightly less. Vehicles with zero emissions (such as electric trucks) will still pay a CO2 surcharge of 1.2 cents per kilometer.
We asked Johan Staes, the new CEO of Transport and Logistics Flanders, for an initial response. He is very critical: “This decision will have a significant impact on our transport companies. We are currently talking about an increase in the kilometer rate by 40% compared to the current rate from July 1. Based on the ITLB figures, this means a cost increase of more than 3%! In itself, the principle of a differentiated tax based on emissions is a good thing. But once again it is an increase without concrete compensation for the transport sector.”
