Truck tolls in the Netherlands: how carriers can manage rising costs
How can carriers manage the extra costs of truck tolls in the Netherlands?
The Netherlands is introducing a truck toll system that will have a significant impact on the logistics sector. For carriers operating in the country, this means higher costs, which cannot simply be passed directly to customers. Costs are expected to rise further in the coming years, making empty runs more expensive than ever. Is this a disaster? Not necessarily, but it is a challenge. Smart strategies exist to mitigate these costs, with one of the most effective being load sharing.
What lies ahead for carriers in the Netherlands and how to respond
The Dutch truck toll will take effect on 1 July 2026, leaving many carriers with limited time to prepare. For diesel trucks, costs could rise by up to 7%, and from January 2028, even 12%. The toll has created urgency and uncertainty among carriers and freight forwarders operating in the Netherlands. However, the legislation itself is predictable—what matters is knowing how to respond strategically. There are ways to curb the financial impact. So what can carriers expect, how can they respond, and how can they control cost increases?
Dutch truck toll: what carriers need to know
Almost every vehicle over 3.5 tons driving on Dutch roads will be affected by the toll. Only zero-emission vehicles weighing up to 4,250 kilograms benefit from a higher starting threshold. Charges for trucks running on fossil fuels are higher than for electric vehicles. Toll rates are determined by:
- Vehicle weight
- Number of axles
- Euro emission class
The toll applies primarily to highways, with partial coverage on provincial and municipal roads. Mandatory onboard toll devices register whether a vehicle must pay tolls during a trip. The Dutch government aims to make road transport cleaner and more efficient. Revenue from tolls must be reinvested into the sector to support further sustainability initiatives.
How can carriers respond to net cost increases?
For nearly every carrier, freight forwarder, or shipper operating in the Netherlands, costs will rise due to the truck toll. These increases add to existing pressures, such as wage growth and insurance premiums. According to ING, net cost increases from the toll alone could reach 7–8%. The key question: how can carriers respond?
The answer lies in four strategic actions:
- Gain insight
- Make informed choices
- Collaborate
- Engage with shippers
The reality is that successful carriers will need to implement all four.
1. Gain insight through data
Start by analyzing costs per trip, including which trips are profitable and which are not. Insight also involves understanding how cost increases affect different vehicles and future routes. Not every route will be fully subject to the toll, but most will. Trip and cost data should ideally be captured in a Transport Management System (TMS).
2. From insight to decision-making
With clear data, carriers can make informed choices:
Drive a route themselves or outsource via a partner or platform
Establish fixed flows within a network, even for just a pallet or two per day/week
Taking detours for a client is no longer cost-effective. Close collaboration and strategic planning are critical. This is why initiatives like the Topsector Logistiek in the Netherlands are creating step-by-step guides for carrier collaboration. Data-driven decisions regarding trips, load factors, and costs often determine success or failure.
3. Collaborate with shippers
Negotiating with shippers can be challenging but is essential. While shippers may resist sharing in increased costs, providing a transparent breakdown of costs and potential savings can encourage cooperation. For example:
- Reducing delivery frequency
- Adjusting pricing for certain routes
- Allowing deliveries via partner carriers
Clear data and reasoning make shippers more willing to adapt, creating win-win outcomes.
4. Improve margins through load sharing
Insight also highlights ways to improve load factors and reduce margin pressure. Freight exchange platforms play a key role here. Picking up a load on the return leg increases utilization and generates extra revenue. Even if only a small percentage of shipments go through these platforms, margins can increase significantly. Over a year, this can be the difference between profit and loss.
How the Dutch toll fits into the EU transport landscape
While the Dutch truck toll applies specifically to vehicles operating in the Netherlands, it is part of a broader trend across Europe to introduce road-user charges for heavy goods vehicles. Several EU countries, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and France, already have tolls or road-user charges in place for trucks. For carriers operating cross-border, this means planning not only for Dutch tolls but also for the cumulative cost of tolls in multiple countries. Efficient route planning, load optimization, and using freight exchange platforms become even more critical for maintaining profitability across EU networks. By understanding the Dutch toll in the wider European context, carriers can make strategic decisions for their entire fleet, avoiding unnecessary costs and improving operational efficiency.
Work smarter, not harder
The Dutch truck toll is imminent, forcing carriers operating in the Netherlands to act. Planners and operators must now coordinate across all fronts. Yet the outlook is not entirely grim; opportunities exist to improve load factors and eliminate unprofitable trips. In one of the Netherlands’ key logistics hubs, they say: “don’t just work harder, work smarter.” With the right tools, data, and insights, carriers can make better decisions and navigate rising costs effectively.