ARENA - Kilometre tax for heavy goods vehicles in Sweden - A proposal for a functional concept
Overview
Background & policy context:
ARENA is a national project that aims to build competence for a future introduction of a kilometre tax system for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) in Sweden. The project was started when Swedish public authorities began considering the introduction of a kilometre tax for HGVs and as a means of harmonising the national development with the European framework.
Objectives:
The approach of ARENA is to take a broad view. Innovation potential, consequences and possibilities related to the introduction of a kilometre tax are just as important as the technical solutions as well as respecting that different stakeholders have different needs and requirements for the system.
Methodology:
The role of the ARENA project includes the following elements:
- Serving as the meeting point for all stakeholders in the industry - both nationally and internationally
- Developing and supporting knowledge within the project and serving as co-ordinator between other projects.
The project involved developing a concept for a kilometre tax system in Sweden with a functional approach, which does not prescribe any technical solutions. The concept in generic rather than specific, in the sense that it should be possible to implement the result in several ways. Hence, the system must be flexible to meet the dynamics of technical development. The time horizon for realisation is 3-6 years in the future, and we can expect considerable changes in technical preconditions over this period.
The concept, developed by ARENA, differs from existing systems in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Czech Republic. The ARENA concept allows more toll service providers, which is not accepted in the systems already in operation but is anticipated in the EU's work. ARENA believes that greater openness will reduce costs and increase flexibility. When it comes to checking for compliance with the regulations, ARENA has also forged its own path to reduce system costs.
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