Alsace Introduces a Truck Toll—What International Trucking Companies Need to Know
Starting January 1, 2027, trucks weighing more than 3.5 metric tons will be subject to a per-kilometer toll on a number of major roads in Alsace.
Starting January 1, 2027, trucks weighing more than 3.5 metric tons will be required to pay a per-kilometer toll on a number of major roads in Alsace.
The new toll, R-PASS, primarily affects international truckers traveling through the Rhine Valley toward Switzerland, Italy, southern France, and Spain. Lumesia has now included R-PASS in its agreement, so customers with the Lumesia 1 box are covered from day one.
For years, Alsace has been a popular transit route for heavy traffic. With R-PASS, the Collectivité européenne d’Alsace is introducing a distance-based toll that must be paid according to the number of kilometers driven on the toll road network. For Danish truckers heading south, this means that, starting in the new year, Alsace must be factored into route planning, cost calculations, and equipment.
Which roads are covered?
R-PASS is valid on selected major roads in the region:
- A35 and A36—the sections that are not already subject to a concession and that are located outside the Strasbourg area (Eurométropole)
- RD83 between Colmar and Sélestat
- RD1363
- RD502
- RD504
Who has to pay?
The tax applies to vehicles over 3.5 metric tons in category N or vehicles used for similar freight transport. Exemptions apply to, among other things, emergency vehicles, road maintenance, certain agricultural and forestry activities, and zero-emission vehicles. Some exemptions may require that an application be submitted in advance.
How the Toll Is Calculated
R-PASS is a satellite-based toll. Kilometers driven are measured via GNSS, while roadside enforcement is conducted via DSRC. The amount depends on:
- number of kilometers driven on the network
- the vehicle’s category and weight
- the vehicle’s EURO emission class
The tax consists of three parts: an infrastructure tax, an air pollution tax, and a CO₂ tax. Initially, the CO₂ component will be replaced by a breakdown based on EURO class. The current rates can be found in the official rate schedule.
For fleets with a high number of trips, there’s a discount available: If a vehicle makes more than 20 trips per month on the network (entry and exit) via an approved EETS provider, it is eligible for a 13% discount on the infrastructure charge.
Box or e-ticket
Truck drivers who regularly travel in Alsace should pay using an approved on-board unit (OBU), which automatically records their trips. For occasional trips, or if the unit malfunctions, an e-ticket can be purchased—but it must be purchased before the vehicle enters the toll network.
Lumesia 1 will support R-PASS from the start
R-PASS will be available with Lumesia 1 as soon as the toll takes effect and will be directly integrated into Lumesia’s French toll service. Lumesia 1 combines 4G, GNSS, and DSRC and covers tolls in 19 European countries with a single device. Customers can also track tolls by vehicle and driver in Lumesia’s dashboards and export data to TMS, ERP, or Excel.
Checklist for Trucking Companies Before January 1, 2027
- Review which routes and customers are sending your vehicles through Alsace.
- Verify that the affected vehicles have an approved satellite unit—such as Lumesia 1.
- Update your calculations and freight rates to reflect the new mileage-based toll.
- Check whether your vehicles are eligible for the 13% discount if they make more than 20 trips per month.
- Inform drivers about the e-ticket rule for single trips.
Links
- https://www.eurotoll.eu/our-offer/e-toll-system-heavy-goods-vehicles-france/alsace-r-pass-network/
- https://r-pass.eu/en/tax-exemption
- https://r-pass.eu/en/network
- https://r-pass.eu/en/tariff
- https://stra.com/videnscenter/lumesia-intelligent-overbygning-telepass/
- https://stra.com/videnscenter/lumesia-upgrade/
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