Abstract:
This paper analyses the calculation principles used for determining the level and differentiation of HGV charges in Germany. It demonstrates that calculating average cost-based charges is far from straightforward, even with an agreed methodology, and involves sensitive methodological choices. Based on a review of available studies, the paper argues that estimating marginal costs does not necessarily involve more complexity than the approach used for calculating average cost-based charges. Moving towards social marginal cost-based charging would foster a more efficient use of resources and road capacity, and (fully) including congestion, environmental, and noise costs enables sufficient revenue to recover infrastructure costs.
