Germany truck toll rate per km: the 2026 LKW-Maut guide
The German LKW-Maut ranges from EUR 0.269 to EUR 0.348 per km for Euro VI artics, depending on CO2 class. Full rate table, 500 km example and FAQ.
Logifie Team
Logistics Technology Experts
The German LKW-Maut (truck toll) for a Euro VI artic above 18 t ranges from EUR 0.269 per km (CO2 Class 4) to EUR 0.348 per km (CO2 Class 1, the default), charged on motorways and most federal roads for all vehicles above 3.5 t, per Toll Collect tariffs in force since 1 July 2024.
What determines your Germany truck toll rate per km?
The LKW-Maut is built from four rate components, each charged in cents per kilometre: infrastructure costs, air pollution costs, noise pollution costs, and a CO2 surcharge. The CO2 surcharge was introduced on 1 December 2023 and reflects the carbon intensity of the vehicle - the higher the CO2 emissions, the higher the charge.
For a Euro VI vehicle above 18 t with five or more axles - the standard artic combination - the components in CO2 Class 1 are: infrastructure 15.5 ct/km, air pollution 2.3 ct/km, noise 1.2 ct/km, and CO2 surcharge 15.8 ct/km, totalling 34.8 ct/km. Moving to CO2 Class 4 reduces the CO2 surcharge to 7.9 ct/km, bringing the total to 26.9 ct/km.
The table below shows the full spread for a Euro VI, over-18t, 5-axle-plus vehicle by CO2 class, based on official Toll Collect rate tables valid from 1 July 2024 .
| CO2 emission class | Total toll rate (Euro VI, >18t, 5+ axles) |
|---|---|
| Class 1 (default) | EUR 0.348 per km |
| Class 2 | EUR 0.340 per km |
| Class 3 | EUR 0.332 per km |
| Class 4 (best) | EUR 0.269 per km |
All vehicles are assigned to CO2 Class 1 by default. Carriers can apply in the Toll Collect customer portal to move to a better class by uploading a vehicle registration certificate or certificate of conformity - provided the vehicle was first registered after 1 July 2019.
The air pollution component follows the Euro emission class. A Euro VI vehicle pays only 2.3 ct/km on air pollution costs; an older Euro III vehicle in the same weight bracket pays 14.9 ct/km on that component alone. For a complete country-level comparison see our EU toll guide covering all major freight corridors .
How much does a 500 km German route cost in toll?
A Euro VI, 5-axle vehicle in CO2 Class 1 - the default unless the carrier has applied for a better class - pays approximately EUR 174 in LKW-Maut on a 500 km motorway run. The same vehicle in CO2 Class 4 pays roughly EUR 135. That EUR 39 saving per 500 km compounds quickly across a fleet with multiple weekly German transits.
To put toll costs in context alongside fuel, you can track live diesel prices by country and factor both into your route margin calculation. Understanding Germany HGV speed limits is also relevant when costing German legs, since average speed affects driving time and therefore driver cost per kilometre.
Note that the LKW-Maut applies on all federal motorways and most federal roads (Bundesstrassen). A handful of sections near border crossings and some privately financed tunnels use separate arrangements.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Germany truck toll rate for a Euro VI truck in 2026?
For the most common artic configuration - Euro VI, over 18 t, five or more axles - the rate ranges from EUR 0.269 per km in CO2 Class 4 to EUR 0.348 per km in CO2 Class 1, based on official BALM-published tariffs effective from 1 July 2024. The rate structure introduced in December 2023 remained in force through 2026.
Does the German truck toll apply to vans and vehicles under 7.5 t?
Since 1 July 2024 the LKW-Maut applies to all vehicles above 3.5 t technically permissible maximum laden mass used in commercial freight transport. Light commercial vehicles (LCVs) used for trade activities may qualify for an exemption but must register this with Toll Collect in advance. Private use and emergency services are exempt.
Are electric trucks exempt from the LKW-Maut in Germany?
Yes, if the truck is zero-emission. Only zero-emission HGVs, meaning battery-electric and hydrogen-powered trucks that meet the zero-emission threshold, are exempt from the LKW-Maut until 30 June 2031, after an extension to the German toll regulations moved the original end-2025 deadline. Plug-in hybrids do not meet the zero-emission threshold and so remain liable. Zero-emission vehicles weighing under 4.25 t are permanently exempt.
How is the CO2 surcharge component calculated in the LKW-Maut?
The CO2 surcharge is determined by the vehicle's CO2 emission class, which reflects how much CO2 the vehicle type emits per tonne-kilometre. Toll Collect provides an emission class finder tool in its customer portal. For a 5-axle vehicle above 18 t, the CO2 component is 7.9 ct/km in Class 4 and 15.8 ct/km in Class 1.
To manage toll costs systematically across your fleet and integrate them into route pricing, explore how Logifie TMS handles route cost optimisation .
