HVF: It's getting more expensive for older trucks - clean ones benefit
On 1 July 2021, it will be more expensive for older trucks, the Federal Council has adjusted the performance-based heavy vehicle charge (HVF). But there are alternatives - the HVF and mineral oil tax can be saved.
Federal Berne wants to further strengthen the modal shift policy and the protection of the Alps. With the Relocation Report 2019 the Federal Council decided on a package of measures to shift even more freight from road to rail. Among other things, it decided to reclassify the older trucks in the Euro IV and Euro V categories from the medium to the most expensive HVF category. In addition, the Federal Council plans to abolish the 10 percent discount for Euro II and Euro III vehicles with particulate filters that has been in place since 2011.
In December 2020, the Switzerland-EU Joint Committee on the Agreement on Land Transport gave the green light for the HVF to be adjusted accordingly by mid-2021. The changes required for this in the Heavy Vehicle Fee Ordinance were approved, according to the Federal Council.
Favourable framework conditions for clean vehicles
Companies that would like to be exempt from the HVF can find opportunities. Switzerland offers favourable framework conditions for the use of hydrogen technology in logistics: because not only the HVF but also the mineral oil tax are waived for zero-emission vehicles. In addition, companies can optimise the sustainability of their services, which is appreciated by some in the supply chain. For example, the logistics company Retralog AG in Wolfwil, Solothurn, says that each hydrogen truck saves around 70 to 80 tonnes of CO2 per year compared to a conventional diesel truck - with comparable maintenance costs. The company relies on this technology and has launched its first hydrogen-powered truck: The Hyundai Xcient Fuel Cell vehicle is exclusively in the service of Swiss Post. The 36-tonne vehicle will be used for national parcel and letter transport between logistics centres, according to the transport company.
Boost for H2 technology in Switzerland
Thomas J. Ernst, Head of Transport at Swiss Post Logistics Services, emphasises Switzerland's international pioneering role in the use of hydrogen technology. This is due in no small part to the Swiss H2 Mobility Association, which was founded almost three years ago (see www.h2mobilitaet.ch): its mission is to promote clean, CO2-emission-free motorised private transport. Its members include retailers such as Coop and Migros, as well as hauliers and other private companies. The fact that the vehicle fleet can be made more sustainable is also thanks to the Korean manufacturer Hyundai. A few months ago, it launched its first seven commercial vehicles in Switzerland that emit only water vapour. The Xcient Fuel Cell is a series-produced hydrogen truck.
Where are the gas stations?
But without an H2 filling station, even this alternative drive is not much use. That is why Avia, Agrola and Coop have opened the first hydrogen filling stations to fill the vehicles in a climate-neutral way. A glance at the website of the Swiss H2 Mobility Association shows that public hydrogen filling stations are available in Zofingen, St. Gallen and Hunzenschwil. Others are to follow soon.
The range of his H2 truck is around 400 kilometres, at the latest after which it has to be refilled, says Daniel Reichen from Retralog. However, that is sufficient for national freight transport.
Today, there are around 50 trucks on the road in Switzerland with this alternative drive. Soon there should be over 1000, according to the Federal Office of Energy.
