We probably do not have to expect the planned kilometer charge for the time being. That depends on what the corona crisis does in the long term with the traffic on the road.
According to the current climate agreement, the objective is to introduce a kilometer charge for passenger cars by 2026. However, it seems that the government will refrain from doing so. ING’s Economics Department expected that the coming government will probably end it, because the situation on the road has changed significantly: “The corona crisis has led to more working from home and a better distribution of road traffic. As a result, the rush hour traffic jams have virtually disappeared. This will make the introduction of a kilometer charge by the next cabinet less likely, “they say.
The traffic congestion is plummeting this year.
The main purpose of the kilometer charge or a possible ‘rush-hour charge’ is to reduce congestion on the roads and of course also to ‘tax the polluter’. Working from home or using public transport can then become more attractive. Earlier, Minister Cora van Nieuwenhuizen (Infrastructure and Water Management) made adjustments NPO Radio 1 that such measures may be ‘outdated’ if we stick to this year’s changes. “If we will soon be back in a normal situation, who knows with a vaccine, then I want to stick to part of the working from home that we do now. I am discussing this with VNO-NCW, MKB Nederland, the umbrella organizations. well that road pricing will soon no longer be necessary, “said Van Nieuwenhuizen.