This is the formula that the Government is studying to implement tolls on Spanish highways

If a more than controversial measure has remained latent in this 2021 that is already closing its doors in the automotive sector, that is the implementation of a toll system on Spanish highways. The end of gratuity that the Government contemplates for Spanish roads in order to access the recovery funds of the European Union, which is already planned to be implemented for 2024.

Still without a definite approval but with a roadmap that covers a little less than three years, the coalition Executive of the PSOE and United We Can has slipped in recent months its firm idea of establishing a collection network on the main Spanish roads. Something that has been defended from the ministries such as “the one who pollutes, pays“, which is why it is intended to generate a new route of income that reduces the enormous deficit of these infrastructures.

Thus, the government’s preferred formula would be ‘bullets‘. A toll that already exists in neighboring countries such as Portugal and that through a sophisticated system generates a charge when the vehicle is recognized, once it passes through a certain point.

This is how the bullet toll works

In the case of the Portuguese service, these vignettes consist of implanted arches along the roads, similar to those supported by information signs or radars, and which, through cameras, monitor that all vehicles have a label or sticker, in the style of ITV or environmental, for which payment is authorized.

Also implemented in Switzerland, Austria or the Czech Republic, the way to pay can be done by days, months or annually, generating in this way that the driver pays an amount that allows him to circulate on a series of roads during the estimated time. In the Portuguese case, the cameras recognize the distance traveled and they generate an amount based on these kilometers.

If the rate of one cent per kilometer is given, a Madrid-Barcelona route would cost more than 5 euros

For this reason, the Executive has explored the possibility of introducing a rate of around one cent per kilometer, so that in this way a Madrid-Barcelona route would entail an expense of 5.33 euros. In addition, next to this possibility of the vignette also different amounts or exemptions are studied for vehicles that travel on highways daily to work, study or health issues.

The OCU starts a campaign to end tolls

A measure not without controversy, due to the end of the nature of gratuity, which since it slipped has led to numerous criticisms. The last, from the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) in what they consider a triple offense for Spanish drivers.

The tolls tax would be added to the registration fees and other expenses derived from the use of private vehicles.

The institution understands that if this practice were carried out, a driver would pay ‘only’ the registration tax and the different amounts that a car generates to those taxes in addition to a new payment for tolls and the rising cost of certain services that would become more expensive due to the direct impact of tolls.

“An injustice”, according to the OCU for which the Government is asked to reconsider and reverse to this project that would only harm the average Spanish driver. In any case, the institution argues that if implemented, it should have a general consensus across the industry of the automotive sector, as well as it should contemplate different sensitivities so as not to further harm vulnerable users.