A Council of Ministers (CM) decree for the amendment of the Tariff for fees for the use of the national road network has been published for public discussion. The changes are related to the introduction of an additional component for carbon emissions.
The draft act aims to amend the tariff in connection with the Law for the Amendment and Supplementation of the Roads Act, transposing Directive (EU) 2022/362, which obliges the differentiation of road tolls based on CO₂ emissions for vehicles over 3.5 tons. The introduction of the CO₂ component is expected from March 1, 2026.
The changes guarantee sustainable financing of road infrastructure and the implementation of environmental goals, with the expectation of generating over 109 million euros annually. The directive aims for road tolls to also reflect the external costs of environmental pollution.
By differentiating fees according to CO₂ emission classes, economic incentives are created for the use of more environmentally friendly vehicles. The introduction of the CO₂ component aims to unify the Bulgarian toll system with those of the other member states and prevent the concentration of the most polluting transit traffic.
The Director of the National Toll Administration, Prof. Oleg Asenov, pointed out that the fees for road vehicles will be increased by an average of about 30%. The most emission-polluting vehicles will be most affected, while Euro 6 cars and those manufactured after July 1, 2019, will receive discounts. There will be no fee for electric vehicles, and for others with low emissions, the increase is between 3 to 5 percent. The EU reform aims to replace the vehicle fleet and reduce carbon emissions.